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<title>AXWORTHY CALLS FOR END TO IRAN'S OPPRESSION OF THE BAHA'IS</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">October 2, 1998 No. 229</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY CALLS FOR END TO IRAN'S </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">OPPRESSION OF THE BAHA'IS</font><font face="Courier"></font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today expressed his concern over the
September 30 arrest of 32 Baha'i academics in Iran. These arrests are especially
troubling as they occurred in the same week that two Baha'i men had death
sentences confirmed. The men were convicted of crimes against the state but these
crimes amounted to practising their faith.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"These new arrests are an affront to the human rights of Iranian Baha'is and I
told Iran's Foreign Minister this when I met him in New York yesterday," said Mr.
Axworthy. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The arrests are apparently part of the government's effort to shut down the Baha'i
Institute of Higher Education, which was created to address the academic needs of
the Iranian Baha'i community. The Iranian government prevents many Baha'is from
finishing their secondary schooling and prevents them from attending university.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"We have seen some positive changes in Iran under President Khatami, but it is
time for the judicial authorities to end their oppression of the Iranian Baha'i
community and respect the rights that are provided for the Baha'is under the
Iranian constitution," added Mr. Axworthy. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><em>(4:30 p.m. EDT)</em></font></p>
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