Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada

June 22, 2009

Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the following statement today on the situation in Iran:

“The reaction of the Iranian authorities to the demonstrations in Iran is wholly unacceptable.  The regime has chosen to use brute force and intimidation in responding to peaceful opposition regarding legitimate and serious allegations of electoral fraud.

“Basic human rights, including freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, are being ignored.  Demonstrations have been banned and demonstrators beaten.  Injured protestors have been arrested when they arrive at hospitals for treatment.  Journalists have been prevented from covering protests and subjected to arbitrary detention and arrest.  Foreign press credentials have been revoked.

“Canada calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately cease the use of violence against their own people, to release all political prisoners and journalists – including Canadians – who have been unjustly detained, to allow Iranian and foreign media to report freely on these historic events, and to conduct a full and transparent investigation into allegations of fraud in the presidential election.  The voices of all Iranians must be heard.  I have directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to ensure that Canada’s views are conveyed to Iran’s top representative in Canada.”

“Canada continues to be a strong and consistent voice calling on the Iranian regime to fulfill all of its human rights obligations, both in law and in practice.  For six consecutive years, Canada has led a resolution on the human rights situation in Iran at the United Nations General Assembly.  Canada continues to support freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Iran and around the world.”