HR situation in Canada unacceptable: Iran MP

A senior Iranian lawmaker has criticized Canadian government for violating the rights of indigenous population despite Ottawa’s claimed support for human rights.

“Violating the rights of Canadian aboriginals, who have been living in the country long before the settlers came, is unacceptable,” Allahyar Malekshahi, who heads Iran Majlis Judicial and Legal Committee, said on Tuesday.

Malekshahi censured Canada as “one of the main violators of human rights” in the world, despite Ottawa’s claims on human rights situation in other countries.

He stated that some governments “which claim to be concerned about the people of the world” are oppressing their own people and violating the basic rights of the aboriginals.

The lawmaker urged the Canadian government to respect the rights of native people as the “real owners of the country.”

“Western politicians remain silent on human rights violations in any country where their interests call, but advocate human rights in another country which is not in line with their policies,” he said.

The lawmaker’s comments come amid reports of continued hunger strike staged by Canadian human rights activist Theresa Spence in a show of protest against the violation of indigenous Canadians’ rights.

Spence, chief of the troubled Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, has been on a hunger strike since December 11, 2012.

She has vowed to continue to refuse food until the government holds a new meeting to discuss the rights of the Indian population.