Masthead graphic based on a painting by Gudrun Thriemer.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

"One Canadian MP's campaign against Iran," Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, February 16, 2009.

Toronto, February 16, 2009 – Mr Irwin Cotler, former [Liberal Party] Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, now a Member of Parliament for Montréal’s Mont Royal, recently embarked on a self-appointed diplomatic offensive against the Islamic Republic of Iran. With great pomp Mr Cotler made public a document entitled “The Danger of a Genocidal and Nuclear Iran: A Responsibility to Prevent Petition.” The 79-page document argues that Iran poses a genocidal and existential threat to Israel. The petition concludes with recommendations for international sanctions against Iran, travel bans against Iranian leaders, suspension of Iran’s rights and privileges at the UN, and other legal actions.

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), in keeping with its mission of facilitating an informed discussion on the challenges of the region, undertook a comprehensive analysis of Mr Cotler’s document. CJPME found that in order to make his case at all costs, Mr Cotler relied on non-literal translations of statements made in Farsi, used questionable and highly partial sources, such as pressure and lobby groups, editorialized pieces, and a far-right publication. He also concealed from the reader important context for statements made by Iranian leaders and distorted facts in order to advance his claims. In an analysis released today, CJPME documents examples of these and other glaring gaps in Mr Cotler’s petition and its underlying foundation.

  "Responsible Canadians must challenge Mr Cotler’s assertions – both on his methodology and on his ethics – in this single-minded campaign against Iran.”
Thomas Woodley
President, CJPME

Read the of this press release here =>
The Petition is here =>
Cotler's press release concerning the petition is here => (on Parliamentary stationery.)
The CJPME Analysis is here =>Recommend this Post



Sphere: Related Content

0 comments: