STATEMENT BY MINISTER
MACKAY ON ADOPTION OF A
CANADIAN-SPONSORED UN RESOLUTION ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN IRAN
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today issued the following statement regarding Canada’s resolution at the United Nations on the human rights situation in Iran:
“The international community has once again expressed its deep concern about the human rights situation in Iran. Today, at the United Nations in New York, Canada was joined by 70 other countries in calling upon the Government of Iran to live up to its commitments and obligations as a state party to key international human rights instruments.
“The adoption of this resolution for the fourth consecutive year sends a strong message of global concern and international expectation regarding Iran’s respect for the human rights of all its citizens. The resolution calls on Iran to make improvements to the treatment of women, and religious and ethnic minorities; to stop the execution of minors; to end arbitrary detentions; and to respect and advance freedom of expression, freedom of the media and the independence of the judiciary.
“We hope and expect that the Government of Iran will act urgently to deal with these serious problems of human rights and human dignity. We will continue to work with our partners who share Canada’s vision of advancing the cause of human rights.”
