Canada outraged by 'secret trial' Foreign Affairs minister recalls ambassador to Iran
www.canada.com
CREDIT: The Canadian Press
Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi died July 10, 2003, in Iranian custody
Mike Blanchfield
Ottawa Citizen; CanWest News Service
Thursday, July 15, 2004
OTTAWA - Canada has recalled its ambassador to Iran after the Tehran regime reneged on a promise to allow observers at the trial of the man accused of murdering a Montreal journalist.
"They promised that we would have three observers," Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham said Wednesday. "This is completely unacceptable behaviour on their part. It's a complete rejection of the rule of law."
Graham learned through media reports -- not from Iran itself -- that no Canadian diplomats would be allowed to attend the trial of the Iranian security agent charged with "semi-
intentional murder" in last summer's beating death of 54-year-old Zahra Kazemi.
"Under all the human rights codes, under all international law standards, this should be a public trial," an angry Graham added.
"Justice will not be done behind closed doors in Iran. We will continue to make that point."
Graham also summoned Iran's ambassador to the Foreign Affairs Department on Wednesday afternoon "providing him the same extreme outrage that I am providing you."
Graham would not rule out further sanctions, possibly economic, but said he would consult first with Ambassador Philip MacKinnon on the most effective way to exert pressure on Iran for proceeding with what he called "a secret trial."
"It's time to consider everything. We have to look at what can be effective," said Graham.
This is the second time in less than a year that Canada recalled MacKinnon over the Kazemi case. MacKinnon returned to Tehran last fall after the government received assurances of co-operation from the Iranian government.
more
CREDIT: The Canadian Press
Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi died July 10, 2003, in Iranian custody
Mike Blanchfield
Ottawa Citizen; CanWest News Service
Thursday, July 15, 2004
OTTAWA - Canada has recalled its ambassador to Iran after the Tehran regime reneged on a promise to allow observers at the trial of the man accused of murdering a Montreal journalist.
"They promised that we would have three observers," Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham said Wednesday. "This is completely unacceptable behaviour on their part. It's a complete rejection of the rule of law."
Graham learned through media reports -- not from Iran itself -- that no Canadian diplomats would be allowed to attend the trial of the Iranian security agent charged with "semi-
intentional murder" in last summer's beating death of 54-year-old Zahra Kazemi.
"Under all the human rights codes, under all international law standards, this should be a public trial," an angry Graham added.
"Justice will not be done behind closed doors in Iran. We will continue to make that point."
Graham also summoned Iran's ambassador to the Foreign Affairs Department on Wednesday afternoon "providing him the same extreme outrage that I am providing you."
Graham would not rule out further sanctions, possibly economic, but said he would consult first with Ambassador Philip MacKinnon on the most effective way to exert pressure on Iran for proceeding with what he called "a secret trial."
"It's time to consider everything. We have to look at what can be effective," said Graham.
This is the second time in less than a year that Canada recalled MacKinnon over the Kazemi case. MacKinnon returned to Tehran last fall after the government received assurances of co-operation from the Iranian government.
more
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