Iran attacks Canada's human rights record

[cali]

Sat Sep 22 2007

By Steven Edwards



UNITED NATIONS -- In a bid to discredit Canada at the United Nations, Iran is equipping world diplomats with a 70-page booklet on Canada's alleged human rights violations.
Written by Iran "in the name of God," the document asserts that the Canadian government denies its people food, clean water and the right to work.

<snip>

"To the great dismay of the international community, it is a great concern that the rights of women are violated, and no serious attention has been paid in promotion and protection of women's rights in Canada."

Moreover, the document concludes, "Canada's position as a self-declared standard-bearer on human rights has been demoted to a blind-folded-and-bullied follower of the new school of unilateralism and the axis of derailment of international human rights law."
The booklet emerges on the eve of the UN's annual summit, to be attended by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier.

<snip>

Canada has long led scrutiny of Iran at the world body, but tensions between the two countries erupted after the 2003 torture and murder of Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi in an Iranian jail.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/story/4043978p-4651763c.html



CLARIFICATION: FOR ALL THOSE WHO THINK THAT POSTING ANYTHING THAT REFLECTS POORLY ON IRAN IS TANTAMOUNT TO CALLING FOR BOMBING: I JUST THOUGHT THIS WAS AMUSING, AND IT IS IN NO WAY MEANT TO ENDORSE ANY AGRESSIVE ACTION.

[BlooInBloo]

1. Aaahhh... the sweet, sweet rubber-glue comeback.

[cali]

2. Just a tad too

much. I think it's called over kill.

[Maccagirl]

3. It's a shame that you had to include the clarification

just so the flame war wouldn't erupt. When will we get past the "the enemy of my enemy is not my friend" mindset?

[cali]

7. It is, isn't it?

I've actually been accused of wanting to attack Iran because I posted something that wasn't flattering.

[rusty charly]

4. "It appears that the U.S. is planning an attack against Iran and Ottawa is pitching in to help."

"Earlier this year, then Foreign Affairs Minister Peter McKay said, “Canada is deeply concerned with the direction that Iran is headed. The regime in Tehran cannot be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.” McKay's comment was made in Israel, a regional rival of Iran that already possesses nuclear weapons. Referring to “genocidal” Iran a few months later, Jason Kenny (a federal cabinet minister) told a pro-Israel conference that Canada “will pursue every possible avenue in concert with our allies to ensure that does not come into possession of nuclear weapons, which could unleash unimaginable violence.” Kenny concluded that, “He must be stopped by the civilized world.”

http://www.rabble.ca/news_full_story.shtml?x=62416

Later MacKay released a statement claiming that “maintaining a relationship with Iran tests the bounds of diplomacy…peace is Canada's goal and we support the United States' effort to engage all regional partners in supporting the Iraqi government's attempts to bring safety and security to the area.” Canada has also worked to de-legitimate Iran at the U.N., putting forward a resolution condemning Iran's human rights record. In an embarrassing outcome for Canadian officials, the motion barely passed (77-75). Iran's U.N. representative responded to the resolution by saying, “Canada and other sponsors of this resolution are themselves implicated in serious rights violations for which they must be held accountable.” He specifically cited Canada's horrendous treatment of Aboriginal people.

Canada has also been accused of spying for the U.S. Late last year, members of the Iranian parliament claimed the Canadian embassy in Tehran was a “den of spies.” While progressives should oppose Iran's human rights violations, its role in Iraq and its desire to develop nuclear energy or weapons, it is hypocritical for the Canadian government to use this as a justification for supporting a U.S. attack."

[cali]

6. yes, yes

Canada is so well known for its aggressive stance in the world, but even if it is true, and hardly changes anything about the story posted.
And as of yet, there's been no attack, and with the grace of all that's good in the world, there won't be.

[Canuckistanian]

5. Oh, great.

Now they're taunting our Conservative leadership.

This doesn't offend me in the least. Iran's record on human rights is NOTHING to be proud of, especially where women's rights are concerned.

And bad form to bring up Zahra Kazemi. That's still a sore spot between Iran and Canada. And it's a well-known story here in Canada. She was a Canadian citizen, murdered, plain and simple.

If he wants to bring up our record on Native Rights, fine. We're not guiltless on that issue. We've treated aboriginal peoples lousily in our history.

Still, he got some chutzpah, comparing us to them.

[bemildred]

8. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT REJECTS UN INDIGENOUS RIGHTS DECLARATION

Aboriginal leaders around the world last week celebrated the United Nations' decision to adopt a Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a document over 20 years in the making. The text, which was approved by an overwhelming majority in the General Assembly vote on Sep 13, had already been endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council back in June 2006.

Canada was among the handful of countries that sought to delay a final vote late last year over complaints that the non-binding declaration would put too much decision-making power in the hands of aboriginal peoples. In the end, Canada was one of four countries that voted against its adoption—amid 143 votes in favour and 11 abstentions.

I was absolutely floored when I heard about it,” said Terry Lusty, Vice-President of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton, a group working to support aboriginal people throughout the city in areas like sports, counselling and education. “I couldn't believe that our government would stoop to ... not supporting it.”

Australia, New Zealand and the United States, the other three countries which voted against the declaration, all had similar complaints, specifically about the document’s Article 26, arguing it could have allowed indigenous groups too much power to re-open land claims agreements and treaties already signed within their territories.

http://www.vueweekly.com/articles/default.aspx?i=7138

[cali]

9. Yes, and as

one poster here noted, Canada is responsible for its treatment of indigenous peoples. Nevertheless, anytime something negative or at any rate, not positive is posted about iran, the feverish posting of how the the west is just hypocritical and worse and etc, begins. And it doesn't nullify Iran's own hypocricy or the fact that most of the the charges in the article, are completely bogus.

It's an interesting phenomenon. I would say what's your point, but I know perfectly well what it is.

[Canuckistanian]

10. That's not the decision of Canadians

That was the decision of our minority Conservative government.

I would bet that 90% of our population would approve of that declaration.

[bemildred]

16. Yes, I know that. nt

[originalpckelly]

11. Iran is full of crap. L'Iran est plein de la merde.

[mudesi]

12. LOL!

:rofl:

[undeterred]

13. And the Canadian coins are weird too.

[cali]

14. Yeah, damned loonies

how dare they be worth more than our dollar.

[ironflange]

15. I'm hungry, thirsty and dirty, and don't have a job!

Help me, Iran, help me!!!