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A letter to
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada
The Hon. Monte Solberg
June 20, 2006
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
House of Commons
Confederation Building, Suite 107
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
The Hon. Peter MacKay
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Centre Block, Suite 507-S
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Dear Ministers,
I am writing to you about an important human rights violation that is
currently taking place in Iran and Iraq, in addition to the allegations
that Canadian embassies are turning away gay and lesbian applicants
fearing persecution from their home countries.
Currently, the systematic killing of gay and lesbian Iranians and Iraqis
is occurring at an unprecedented level. This violation of human right and
dignity cannot be allowed to continue any longer. Therefore, I urge the
Canadian government to speak out about such killings without delay.
Democracy, as you know, is only successful if and when all citizens of the
world are granted the right and opportunity to succeed as individuals. The
current state of gays and lesbians in Canada is a testament to what
democracy can achieve when the diversity of its members are fully and
collectively harnessed. Gays and lesbians in Iran and Iraq deserve no
less!
Similar to any other group of people fearing persecution from their own
government, it is reported that some gay and lesbian Iraqis who sought
protection in the Green Zone of Baghdad, were mocked and turned away by
American soldiers. Now, it has come to my attention that Canadian
embassies are also turning away applicants seeking visas due to the
applicants being Muslim, not taking into context the situation this group
face. As Minister responsible for Citizenship and Immigration, I urge you
to look seriously into this alleged discriminatory practice and to offer
immediate protection to these applicants. As well, I urge Canada to be
supportive of gays and lesbians facing persecution and discrimination in
Iran and Iraq.
Sincerely yours,
Libby Davies
c.c.: J. McRae Elrod, Chair, CUC Racial and First Nations Equity
Monitoring Group
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