Canada Welcomes UN Resolution on
Deplorable Human Rights Situation in Iran
(No. 368 - November 18, 2010 - 8:00 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement after the successful adoption of a resolution on the human rights situation in Iran following a vote by the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly:
“The Government of Canada is extremely pleased by the adoption of this important human rights resolution. The international community has fulfilled its responsibility by condemning the deplorable situation of human rights in Iran and by signalling to the people of Iran that they are not alone in their efforts to promote human rights in their country. We believe this resolution sends a clear message of support to Iranian human rights defenders.
“With this resolution, and those presented in previous years, the unacceptable human rights situation in Iran has been brought to the attention of the international community, and the Iranian authorities have been called to account for their actions. We will continue to call on the Iranian authorities to take steps to end the egregious abuses of the most fundamental basic human rights of the Iranian people.
“This was the eighth consecutive year in which Canada has served as the lead co-sponsor for this resolution. The resolution highlights long-standing violations of human rights by the Iranian authorities, such as the persistent discrimination against and violation of the fundamental human rights of women and girls, stoning and amputation, widespread discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities, media censorship and harassment of human rights defenders, including women’s rights activists. Canada will continue to stand with the people of Iran against the oppressive actions of the Iranian authorities.
“The Government of Canada strives to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Canada expects all Iranians to be able to enjoy the same rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled.”
The resolution was co-sponsored by 41 other member states of the United Nations, and was supported by 80 in the vote earlier today, with only 44 member states voting against. This represented the largest margin ever in favour of this resolution, signalling the international community’s deepening concern with the human rights situation in Iran.
