For Immediate Release
(Toronto, June 10, 1999...) B'nai Brith Canada today called on the Canadian and other governments to press for the immediate release of Jews arrested in Iran.
In a letter today, Lawrence Hart, President and Frank Dimant, Executive Vice-President have strongly urged Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs to convey Canada's condemnation of these actions to Iran. B'nai Brith has also contacted other Human Rights and Religious NGO's to join in solidarity in protesting these baseless arrests.
We urge Canada, the international community and all those concerned by human rights abuses to raise their voices in protest. The real motives for this arrest have more to do with internal power struggles inside Iran. Jews are once again being used as pawns in a fight for power. Such abuse should not be tolerated.
We further urge our government to raise this matter in all bilateral meetings with Iranian officials as well as in international forums on human rights. The suppression and oppression of minorities for political gain must be resisted by all.
Radio Teheran broadcast a report on June 7 that 13 Jews were arrested in Iran on the charge of espionage for Israel and the United States. The Governments of Israel and of the U.S. have already issued statements denying these allegations. Iran is home to between twenty and thirty thousand Jews. According to information available, a host of other motives for the arrest exist, including the political struggle between the conservative Khameni and the moderate President Mohammed Khatami. These arrests were meant to embarrass the latter. As noted by Amnesty International, the chances of a fair trial are slim. The 13 men are from Shiraz and Isfahan and are thought to include rabbis, religious leaders and community activists. Most have been denied visits or legal representation and no bail has been set. An official announcement over the radio increases the urgency of interventions. Such announcements in the past have been the signal of an imminent execution.
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