Today, Mrs. Laureen Harper hosted a roundtable chaired by Indigo President, Heather Reisman on the challenges facing women in Iran. Following the roundtable, Mrs. Harper and Ms. Reisman issued a second open letter to the President of Iran condemning Iran’s persistent disregard for the rule of law, human and women’s rights, as symbolized by its mistreatment of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was accused and convicted of adultery -- sentenced once to 99 lashes (which was carried out), and a second time to death by stoning for the same offence (which was suspended). Now, she faces murder charges, which could carry a death sentence by hanging. Last week, Iranian television broadcast what they claimed was a confession by Ms. Ashtiani of her “sinfulness” – the second such broadcast, and another clear violation of due process. The continuing injustice that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and her family faces is rallying thousands of women around the world to defend her rights and take up her cause.
President Ahmadinejad,
We are writing you today as Canadian women who enjoy the benefits and protections of a democratic society that values and promotes human rights and freedoms. We, and our fellow Canadians from all walks of life, remain gravely concerned about the human rights situation in Iran. We are particularly troubled by the ongoing mistreatment of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.
Last week’s broadcast of confessions of questionable authenticity, is reprehensible. Rather than a “guilty” woman, the world saw only a country willing to intimidate and humiliate its citizens, and prejudice the outcome of cases before the courts. We remain deeply concerned by Iran’s failure to follow due process, as shown by the unfair and unjust legal process faced by Ms. Ashtiani, and women in general in Iran. We remain convinced that a fair trial would result in her speedy release, and the exoneration of her lawyer and her son whose arrests for defending Ms. Ashtiani further discredit your country. We call on Iran to meet its international and legal obligations and reverse the deterioration of its citizens’ human rights, starting with a fair and due judicial process for Ms. Ashtiani.
We are also disturbed that the repugnant sentence of death by stoning, which Ms. Ashtiani faced, continues to be rendered predominantly against women in Iran and almost nowhere else in the world. We further call on Iran to amend its laws and forbid this cruel and inhuman punishment forever.
We met in Ottawa today to discuss the situation of women in Iran representing a rapidly growing coalition around the world which is determined to keep the spotlight on the actions of the Iranian government and the status of women in Iran. By adding our voices to the international outrage, it is our hope that women in Iran may one day enjoy the same benefits, rights and freedoms that we are so fortunate to have here in Canada.
Finally, we applaud the strong message which the international community sent your country last week in passing -- for the eighth consecutive year and by the largest margin ever -- a resolution in the UN’s Third Committee roundly condemning Iran’s human rights record, and showing Iranians that they are not alone. This time, we hope that Iran will listen to the world and begin fully protecting the rights of its own citizens. We pledge once again to continue our vigilance in highlighting the case of Ms. Ashtiani and all other similar cases in Iran, and elsewhere in the world.
