By William Miller
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America
OTTAWA, Canada – Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon condemned Iran for attacks against protestors on Sunday, December 27. He expressed Canada’s concern for Iran’s use of violence against those who were simply utilizing their right to freedom of expression and added that he was particularly concerned that the crackdown occurred during a religious holy day.
In a public statement Cannon said “The government of Canada condemns the use of brutal violence by Iranian security forces and once again calls upon Iran to meet its human rights obligations.” He further said, “The people of Iran deserve to have their voices heard and to enjoy the rights to which they are entitled without fear of violence and intimidation.”
The violence occurred on Sunday during Ashura, a holy day of mourning on the Shia calendar. Iranian security forces attacked demonstrators in Tehran who were protesting against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei the Supreme Leader in Iran.
Police attacked using tear gas and batons killing at least eight and arresting some three-hundred protestors. Among the dead was Ali Mousavi, the nephew of the leader of the reformist movement Hossein Mousavi. It has been reported that he died from a gunshot wound.
Iran’s state-sponsored television news had originally put the death toll at fifteen in Tehran but has since claimed only eight protestors were killed. They claim that many of them were members of “anti-revolutionist terrorist groups.” Police have denied any responsibility for the deaths and a senior police official denied any allegations that the police used firearms during the crackdown.
Canada has been joined by other countries in denouncing the crackdown in Iran. Among those denouncing the violence were the United States, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
For more information, please see:
Guardian.co.ck – Opposition Leader’s Nephew Among the Nine Dead Amid Rioting and Bloodshed in Iran – 28 December 2009
Press TV – West Condemns Iran Protest Crackdown -28 December 2009
Washington TV – Canada Condemns Violence Against Protesters in Iran – 28 December 2009
