Oman has been named as Iran's representative in Canada which means they will look after Iran's affairs and interests including consulate affairs. Last June Canada cut all diplomatic ties with Iran including shutting down Iran’s embassy in Ottawa. Since last June Canada has had no diplomatic relations with Iran and has not allowed for any country or entity to act as Iran’s representatives in Canada.
In September of this year an Islamic Centre in Montreal started carrying out Iran’s consulate affairs going as far as creating a website which clearly indicated that the Islamic centre would be Iran’s official consulate in Montreal.
Many Iranian Canadians were extremely concerned about this new development not only because this consulate was operating against Canadian law, but also because they were against Islamic Regime’s political presence in Canada, whether official or unofficial. Many Iranian Canadians contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, their members of parliament and the media to voice their concerns about this issue.
A facebook group named “Shut Down Iran’s Consulate in Montreal” was created and a protest was scheduled in front of the Islamic Centre in Montreal on Saturday October 26th 2013.
Unfortunately in the meantime the Canadian Government decided not only against shutting down Iran’s consulate in Montreal, but they also designated the country of Oman to act as Iran’s representative in Canada essentially allowing Iran to once again have a political presence in Canada.
This comes as a major disappointment and surprise to Iranian Canadians who applauded Canada’s tough stand on the Regime in Iran. There is great concern that this maybe the beginning of the renewal of Canada-Iran diplomatic relations which would not be welcome by Iranian Canadians who have been fighting against the dictatorship in Iran.
Please note that the scheduled protest of October 26th 2013 in Montreal has been cancelled, but there will be a protest in front of Oman Embassy in Ottawa as well as at Parliament Hills. Please stay tuned for the new date.
Sayeh Hassan is an Iranian Canadian Lawyer, Pro-Democracy Activist and Blogger
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