– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
(www.cjpme.org)

One Canadian MP's Campaign Against Iran

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.

CJPME believes that all Canadians – especially parliamentarians – should seek to promote understanding and an informed exchange of ideas among peoples. In light of its technical shortcomings and built-in biases, the petition will only polarize sentiments in a region that needs both dialog and honest accountability. It sadly adds up to little less than an attempt to demonize Iran on fabricated arguments.

“CJPME does not seek to defend the words or actions of Iranian leaders,” stated CJPME President Thomas Woodley. “Nevertheless, Mr Cotler is making extremely serious allegations in his petition, and suggesting a course of action against Iran which would have serious implications for its 65 million citizens. Responsible Canadians must challenge Mr Cotler’s assertions – both on his methodology and on his ethics – in this single-minded campaign against Iran.”

CJPME will call on the petition’s signatories to review the information presented in CJPME’s analysis, and will urge them to reconsider their signature.

How to find the documents?

The Petition: http://www.irwincotler.parl.gc.ca/documents/081209_petition.pdf

The Analysis: http://www.cjpme.ca/documents/CJPME-Analysis-of-Cotler-Petit...

For more information, please contact Grace Batchoun, 514-745-8491.

Ce communiqué est également disponible en français.

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