"The Islamic Republic of Iran calls the international community's attention to the grave situation of the Canadian indigenous people and expresses its deep concern over the continued systematic violation of the basic rights of some one and a half million natives, the persistent discrimination and the inhumane conditions imposed against them by the Canadian government," the statement said on Thursday.
The statement added that Iran "strongly condemns" Canada's mistreatment of the native community, and calls on the international community, UN human rights bodies, and in particular the UN's Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, to pursue the rights of the native people in the North American country and devise practical mechanisms to restore their basic rights.
It urged the Canadian government to fulfill its commitments to the native people and take concrete steps toward promoting the standards of living in hygiene, housing and education for the indigenous community.
Most of the native Canadians suffer poor educational, economic and social conditions, and are among the poorest members of the Canadian society.
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Publish Date: 13 September 2012 - 20:17
The Iranian Foreign Ministry in a statement deplored the Canadian government's discriminatory behavior towards the native community, and urged Ottawa to respect their rights.