Post by Dixie on Sept 22, 2015 6:56:09 GMT -6
Canada Closes Iranian Embassy, Expels Diplomats...But They Didn't Stop There
Our neighbors to the north just took a HUGE stand against Iran by suspending their diplomatic relations with the rogue Islamic nation and expelling Iranian diplomats, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced.
While attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-Operation summit in Russia earlier this month, Baird told reporters that the government is formally listing Iran and Syria as state sponsors of terrorism under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act. This move allows Canadians affected by terrorism supported by the Iranian regime to sue.
“Canada is committed to fighting global terrorism and to holding perpetrators of terrorism — and those who provide them support — accountable for their actions,” Baird said.
“Building resilience against terrorism is a priority for our government, and respect for the rule of law prevails in a resilient society,” added Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
“Iran is among the world’s worst violators of human rights. It shelters and materially supports terrorist groups,” Baird said in a news release announcing the formal terror listing.
Canada has closed its embassy in Iran and kicked out all Iranian diplomats in Canada.
“Canada’s position on the regime in Iran is well known. Canada views the government of Iran as the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world today,” Baird said in the statement.
He cited Iran’s continued support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime, its refusal to comply with UN resolutions on its nuclear program and its increasingly violent threats against Israel. The statement also includes Iran’s “blatant disregard” of the Vienna Convention that guarantees the protection of diplomatic personnel.
Last November, Iranian students stormed the British Embassy in Tehran and looted its offices. An Iranian diplomat was summoned by Britain’s Foreign Office in London after evidence surfaced showing Iran failed to provide adequate security to the embassy and didn’t do enough in response to the attack.
Iran hasn’t had a full diplomatic presence in Canada since 2007 after a falling out over the torture and murder of Iranian-Canadian photographer Zahra Kazemi in 2003. The Department of Foreign Affairs has told Canadians still in Iran that need help to contact their embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Prime Minister Stephen Harper on his bold move, lauding the decision as a courageous act of leadership.
“The determination which Canada demonstrates is extremely important so that the Iranians understand that they cannot continue in their race to achieve nuclear weapons. This practical step must serve as an example to the international community [as regards to] moral standards and international responsibility,” Netanyahu said.
A spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Ramin Mehmanparast, called Canada’s decision “hasty and extreme” and said Iran would soon respond. “Don’t you think there’s other way to fight those [diplomatic battles], other than creating problems for me?”
A spokeswoman for a Canadian pro-democracy group said they’re excited about the decision and that it shows Iranians that Canada stands with them.
“This regime has been killing, executing, torturing, over hundreds and thousands of people, both students, intelligence and other members of [the] community in the country and abroad. It’s terrorism. It does not stay in the country — Iran only — but also it’s been exported to other countries,” said Vahideh Khorram-Roudi of the Iran Democratic Association.
Khorram-Roudi said the Iranian regime has threatened her and other members of the group through threats to their family members still living in Iran. The push to cut ties with Iran gained new momentum over the summer after a July news report revealed Iran’s cultural counselor in Ottawa, Hamid Mohammadi said Iranian expatriates should be nurtured to serve Iran.
Baird issued a warning to the Iranian government on July 13 saying they had no business interfering with Canadians who fled the corrupt nation to build a better life.
“Obviously we’re concerned by some of the reports that we’ve heard,” Baird said at the time.
“It is completely inconsistent with any diplomatic mission for the Iranian mission in Ottawa to interfere in the liberties that [Iranian-Canadians] enjoy in Canada. Any police organization will certainly take a look at any serious allegations that are raised in terms of their conduct.
“And obviously my department will watch very closely and will be pleased to hear any representations on anything that the embassy has done that is inconsistent with their function as diplomats in Ottawa.”
One of the loudest–and most influential–voices that lobbied for the closure was Nazanin Afshin-Jam, a human rights activist and the wife of Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay. Her father was imprisoned and tortured in Iran before the family fled. They ultimately settled in Vancouver.
Source Link
Our neighbors to the north just took a HUGE stand against Iran by suspending their diplomatic relations with the rogue Islamic nation and expelling Iranian diplomats, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced.
While attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-Operation summit in Russia earlier this month, Baird told reporters that the government is formally listing Iran and Syria as state sponsors of terrorism under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act. This move allows Canadians affected by terrorism supported by the Iranian regime to sue.
“Canada is committed to fighting global terrorism and to holding perpetrators of terrorism — and those who provide them support — accountable for their actions,” Baird said.
“Building resilience against terrorism is a priority for our government, and respect for the rule of law prevails in a resilient society,” added Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
“Iran is among the world’s worst violators of human rights. It shelters and materially supports terrorist groups,” Baird said in a news release announcing the formal terror listing.
Canada has closed its embassy in Iran and kicked out all Iranian diplomats in Canada.
“Canada’s position on the regime in Iran is well known. Canada views the government of Iran as the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world today,” Baird said in the statement.
He cited Iran’s continued support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime, its refusal to comply with UN resolutions on its nuclear program and its increasingly violent threats against Israel. The statement also includes Iran’s “blatant disregard” of the Vienna Convention that guarantees the protection of diplomatic personnel.
Last November, Iranian students stormed the British Embassy in Tehran and looted its offices. An Iranian diplomat was summoned by Britain’s Foreign Office in London after evidence surfaced showing Iran failed to provide adequate security to the embassy and didn’t do enough in response to the attack.
Iran hasn’t had a full diplomatic presence in Canada since 2007 after a falling out over the torture and murder of Iranian-Canadian photographer Zahra Kazemi in 2003. The Department of Foreign Affairs has told Canadians still in Iran that need help to contact their embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Prime Minister Stephen Harper on his bold move, lauding the decision as a courageous act of leadership.
“The determination which Canada demonstrates is extremely important so that the Iranians understand that they cannot continue in their race to achieve nuclear weapons. This practical step must serve as an example to the international community [as regards to] moral standards and international responsibility,” Netanyahu said.
A spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Ramin Mehmanparast, called Canada’s decision “hasty and extreme” and said Iran would soon respond. “Don’t you think there’s other way to fight those [diplomatic battles], other than creating problems for me?”
A spokeswoman for a Canadian pro-democracy group said they’re excited about the decision and that it shows Iranians that Canada stands with them.
“This regime has been killing, executing, torturing, over hundreds and thousands of people, both students, intelligence and other members of [the] community in the country and abroad. It’s terrorism. It does not stay in the country — Iran only — but also it’s been exported to other countries,” said Vahideh Khorram-Roudi of the Iran Democratic Association.
Khorram-Roudi said the Iranian regime has threatened her and other members of the group through threats to their family members still living in Iran. The push to cut ties with Iran gained new momentum over the summer after a July news report revealed Iran’s cultural counselor in Ottawa, Hamid Mohammadi said Iranian expatriates should be nurtured to serve Iran.
Baird issued a warning to the Iranian government on July 13 saying they had no business interfering with Canadians who fled the corrupt nation to build a better life.
“Obviously we’re concerned by some of the reports that we’ve heard,” Baird said at the time.
“It is completely inconsistent with any diplomatic mission for the Iranian mission in Ottawa to interfere in the liberties that [Iranian-Canadians] enjoy in Canada. Any police organization will certainly take a look at any serious allegations that are raised in terms of their conduct.
“And obviously my department will watch very closely and will be pleased to hear any representations on anything that the embassy has done that is inconsistent with their function as diplomats in Ottawa.”
One of the loudest–and most influential–voices that lobbied for the closure was Nazanin Afshin-Jam, a human rights activist and the wife of Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay. Her father was imprisoned and tortured in Iran before the family fled. They ultimately settled in Vancouver.
Source Link