Minister MacKay Joins Non-Partisan Press Conference Calling for Release of Political Prisoners Date: December 04, 2014 Ottawa, ON – On the day before the first anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Peter MacKay joined MPs Irwin Cotler, Elizabeth May, and Scott Reid, in calling for the release of three political prisoners: Ayatollah Hossein Kazamani Boroujerdi in Iran, Leopoldo Lopez in Venezuela, and Biram Dah Abeid in Mauritania. “It’s very poignant that we gather on the eve of the anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, knowing there are similar leaders currently incarcerated for their struggle to bring about freedom and democracy and greater human rights in their countries,” said Minister MacKay. This non-partisan effort was intended to draw attention to the reality of abhorrent conditions experienced by political prisoners around the world, and their fight for the freedoms they are owed. “The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of the Canadian justice system along with its foreign policy,” said Minister MacKay. “Canada takes principled positions on important issues to promote freedom and democracy and human rights and the rule of law. Being here with my colleagues from the Canadian Parliament in a unified expression of our support for those who promote these values in their countries, is similarly an expression of what a non-partisan issue truly is.” Minister MacKay was asked to speak specifically about one political prisoner—Ayatollah Boroujerdi—an advocate for the separation of religion and state who condemns gender apartheid and the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities. As a result of vocalizing criticism of Iran’s authority and the system, calling it both “a totalitarian and corrupt dictatorship where the crown has been replaced by the turban”, he was charged with waging war against God and spreading propaganda. This resulted in him initially being sentenced to death in 2006. His sentence has subsequently been reduced to eleven years in prison because of international and domestic pressure, but last month he was told by prison officials that he would soon be executed. “We’re truly gathered here in the name of justice and in that spirit of Nelson Mandela to support three extraordinary people who are enduring very unfavorable circumstances as political prisoners and who have been characterized as Mandelas of their countries,” said Minister MacKay. “While most will agree that there is no single person alone who is like Nelson Mandela, these three who we speak of today are among others who in fact embody the spirit of leading the struggle for a free and democratic country for their people. “As Mandela said, we must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do what is right”.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 03:11:50 +0000
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