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To: Secretary General of the Persian Gay & Lesbian Organization
Dear Mr. Arsham Parsi,
I would like to thank you for your invitation to address the PGLO’s remembrance reception for two youth who were killed in Iran because of their sexual orientation. It is with great regret that I am not able to deliver this message in person to you today. I would like to assure you, and the entire PGLO organization, that I remain steadfast in my support for all efforts to end persecution and the violation of human rights in Iran, especially those who are GLTB. As you may know, the previous Liberal government of Canada was greatly concerned about the human rights situation in Iran and problems such as the independence of the Judiciary and treatment of minorities. Canada tabled successful resolutions at the UN General Assembly in both 2003 and 2004 which demonstrated the international community's serious concern regarding the human rights situation in Iran. In 1996, the government of Canada implemented a controlled engagement policy with regard to political relations with Iran. In an effort to pressure the government of Iran to improve its human rights record, limits were placed on Canadian contacts with Iran. For instance, Iran is not able to open consulates in Canada, there are no direct air links, and export controls are applied on any sensitive goods. On May 17, 2005, Canada further tightened its controlled engagement policy in response to Iran’s worsening human rights record. Visits and exchanges by Iranian officials to Canada were no longer permitted and Canadian officials were no longer permitted to engage with Iran, except on issues relating to the improvement of human rights. I worked hard, under the previous Liberal government, to convince the Prime Minister to strengthen, even further, our response to human rights violations in Iran. I was in regular contact with the Ministers of Immigration and Foreign Affairs on this issue, and as recently as October 6, 2005 I raised the issue of the persecution of gay men in Iran during debate at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. I will continue to reiterate my concerns to the new Conservative government in the hope that they will continue to pressure Iran on these issues and take strong steps to prevent continuing human rights violations and to place a moratorium on deportation of Iranian refugees from Canada.
Sincerely, Hon. Hedy Fry, PC, MP Vancouver-Centre |
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