The activists and NGO representatives who had applied for visa to participate in FSM2016 conference in Montreal were denied visa by Canadian government. Many of the activists had actively took part in previous edition of the conference in Tunisia last year where they had significantly defended rights of Palestinians during the event.
Here is the full text of the statement;
In the name of God
The issue of Human rights as well as regional and international mechanisms supporting that, are global concerns that not only the United Nations but also has provoked many countries and even non-governmental organizations for its materialization. Among different theoretical and operational programs, FSM Forum as the largest gathering of civil societies, is held annually by attending thousands of social activists and civil society organizations.
This global gathering will be held this year from 9 to 14 August in Montreal, Canada. Iranian civil societies and NGO activists, the same as recent years, after receiving the invitation from the Executive Committee of the World Social Forum 2016, were ready to participate in this global Forum to share the idea, exchange of experiences and present public solidarity for equality, justice, peace and respect for human and democratic values and find solutions to the problems of our world.
Civil society and non-governmental organizations, despite the problems such as the absence of embassies of some countries, including Canada's embassy in Iran and the lack of international communication channels, have sent their documents through the other way. The non-governmental groups presented all required documents to the Canadian Embassy in Ankara, tried to pave the way. Nevertheless, the Consulate of Canada refused to issue the visa due to insubstantial excuses such as uncertain purpose of visit which as absolutely transparent as mentioned in the invitations or lack of family ties in the country of residence for the married with children or considering reasons that are important in the case of tourism.
Undoubtedly, sending invitation from the Executive Committee of this specialized Forum demonstrate that the organizers clearly believes in the necessity of the participation of representatives of in danger Southern West part of Asia. Due to insecurity and the existence of terrorists in the Middle East and massive violations of human rights and humanitarian law, in particular women and children, the presence of Iranian civil activists and non-governmental organizations that are in the text, or at least close to the focus of the crisis is undeniable, in order to support peace and human values in this sensitive region.
It was expected from the government of Canada which from the Second World War on, claims to be a protector of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic values, to avoid political and selective behavior, and to act on the basis of international custom and comity and human rights law including the principle of non-discrimination against citizens of other countries and it shouldn’t have prevented the presence of civil societies and human rights activists in the meeting.
Since the main objective of the Forum is to present solidarity of social activists and civil societies for supporting human rights, democratic values and peace in world, It was expected from the government of Canada which always claims in political views and international documents to be a protector of solidarity rights and third-generation of human rights, to consider facilities for ensuring solidarity right of nations in spite of preventing access to it.
On the one hand, how is that the government of Canada recognizes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in its constitution, ratifies Canadian Human Rights Act and in political posturing claims to be a defendant of principles and ideals such as the equality of all before the law, protection of human rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and protection of individuals against discrimination, on the other hand it is preventing individuals 's participation in a non-governmental and non-political international Forum which is to apply specific measures at national and international levels to change the world to the ideals of humanity and peace.
while the hosts holding this Forum on the past years have issued visa for Iranian activists and human rights organizations, how is that possible that in spite of presenting valid documents to the consulate of Canada, they are preventing the Iranian NGOs from participating in the Forum by insubstantial, illogical reasons?
It seems that such attitude is evidence on selective, discriminatory and political behavior of the Government of Canada toward social activists and human rights defenders. Inhumane behavior will never be forgotten in today's tumultuous world.
HR/PS