Excerpts of remarks by Tony Peter Clement – MP from the Conservative Party of Canada
Despite their claims of being more moderate, Iran is firmly controlled by its hardliners. We must continue to oppose the Iranian regime. The facts do not lie. Executions are up by 30 per cent. Iran’s state support of terrorism has been widely acknowledged.
The regime has used terrorism as an essential component of its foreign policy and military strategy.
The regime incites tensions across the Middle East, including in Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, Bahrain, and they are threats to peace and stability in the region. And Iran continues to prop up the murderous Assad regime in Syria and call for destruction and complete elimination of Israel.
Despite claims of moderation the last election did not bring change in Iran. This was clearly demonstrated recently as Iranian students celebrating their graduation were arrested and given 99 lashes for simply attending a coed party.
I am pleased to be counted as a harsh critique in Canada of this brutal regime. In 2012, our conservative government suspended all diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic. And we must continue to denounce and bring attention to the actions of the Iranian regime. We must not forget the victims of their crimes against their own people and in other countries.
While we are hopeful that Iran lives up to the commitments it has made to the international community, including the P5+1 and the International Atomic Energy Agency, we remain highly skeptical of Iran’s real intentions when it comes to its nuclear program. The regime in Tehran has said many things about its nuclear program, but we will judge them by their actions not by their words.
And I want to commend you on your fight against this brutal regime and we in the conservative party of Canada will continue to be your ally in your opposition to it.
Thank you and all the best as you gather to denounce the brutal dictatorship in Iran.