Canada-Israel Committee Hosts “Democracy in Action: Crisis in Iran” in Ottawa/Gatineau, October 27, 2009

Here’s the CIC’s news release about our recent event – Democracy in Action: Crisis in Iran:

Canada-Israel Committee Hosts “Democracy in Action: Crisis in Iran” in Ottawa/Gatineau, October 27, 2009

For Immediate Release

Oct. 28, 2009

Yesterday’s conference hosted by the Canada-Israel Committee, “Democracy in Action: Crisis in Iran,” was meant to challenge and encourage Canada’s political sector to take the lead within the international community on the Iran file.

“This event was about a regime that respects nothing…Neither the fundamental rights of its own citizens, nor the rights of an aboriginal people to repatriate to its ancestral homeland, nor even the treaty obligations it has voluntarily assumed on itself with respect to the acquisition of nuclear weapons,” said Moshe Ronen, national chairman, Canada-Israel Committee.

Ronen added, “The Iranian regime must be held accountable and must conform to basic standards of conduct.

“This event was about upholding the rule of international law and compliance by the Iranian regime with the will of the international community as expressed through numerous UN Security Council resolutions.”

Conference participants heard from a variety of speakers about Canada’s role and what they can do to help including the Honourable Jason Kenney, speaking on behalf of the Government of Canada, the Honourable Irwin Cotler, Israeli Ambassador to Canada Miriam Ziv, Kenneth R. Timmerman, International Security expert, Mark Dubowitz, Executive Director for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and a keynote address by Nazanin Afshin-Jam, Co-founder and President of Stop Child Executions.

Among the issues raised in over one hundred meetings with Parliamentarians was the need for Canada to invoke SEMA – the special economic measures act – against Iran. In a related development, the House of Commons unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Iranian regime’s systemic violation of human rights and their unlawful nuclear program (see below).
A number of senators have also indicated that they will seek approval of a companion resolution in the Senate.

* * *

The Parliament of Canada
HOUSE OF COMMONS MOTION
IRAN
Adopted Unanimously, October 27, 2009

That, in the opinion of this House,

1. Canada supports the democratic aspirations of the people of Iran.
2. Canada condemns the use of violence and force by Iranian authorities against their own people to suppress pro-democracy demonstrations following the Iranian presidential elections of June 12, 2009.
3. Canada condemns the use of torture by Iranian authorities.
4. Canada calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners held in Iran.
5. Canada calls on Iran to fully respect all of its human rights obligations, both in law and in practice.
6. Canada condemns Iran’s complete disregard for legally binding UN Security Council Resolutions 1696, 1737, 1747, and 1803 and International Atomic Energy Agency requirements.
7. Canada affirms its opposition to nuclear proliferation and condemns any pursuit by Iran of nuclear weapons capability.
8. Canada recommends to international organizations of which it is a member that a new set of targeted sanctions be implemented against Iran, in concert with allies, unless it comes into compliance with its human rights and nuclear obligations in law and in practice.

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Possibly related posts:

• News Release: Minister Cannon Condemns Use of Violence Against Protestors in Iran
• Canada’s Foreign Minister Expresses Concern over Situation in Iran Following Presidential Election
• Israel responds to IAEA Reports Regarding Iran and Syria
• FM Liberman meets with Canadian ministers in Ottawa
• According to Reports: Columnists Focus on Peace Process, Iran