People in Vancouver, Canada, hol a demonstration in support of First Nations. (file photo)<\/p>\n
Iran has called on Canada to respect its obligations regarding the basic rights of the First Nations, expressing concern over the discriminatory handling of the indigenous population in the country.\n<\/p>\n
In a Wednesday statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly urged the Canadian government “to adhere to its commitments toward aboriginals, including the rights stipulated in the [UN] Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”\n<\/p>\n
The statement also voiced Tehran’s “deep concern over persistence of the systematic discrimination” and “the inhuman situation” it has inflicted on the aboriginal people.\n<\/p>\n
The statement further praised Canadian indigenous people for their strong will and courage in pursuing their long-violated rights, and extended Iran\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s congratulations to them on the occasion of National Aboriginal Day.\n<\/p>\n
On June 21, Canada’s indigenous people marked the occasion by staging anti-government protest rallies in Ottawa, with the New Democratic Party (NDP) predicting a \u00c5\u201chot summer\u201d of displeasure among the country\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s aboriginals.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cI can tell from having talked to hundreds of representatives of First Nations that that frustration is palpable, it’s growing, especially amongst the young people,\u201d NDP leader Tom Mulcair stated.\n<\/p>\n
The government of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has come under criticism for widespread violation of the rights of the country’s indigenous community.\n<\/p>\n
A recent study by the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives says almost 50 percent of indigenous children in Canada are living in poverty that is three times more than the national average.\n<\/p>\n
Many of Canada\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s natives continue to suffer unsafe drinking water, inadequate housing, addiction, and high suicide rates.\n<\/p>\n
In a report released in December 19, 2012, Amnesty International called on Ottawa to address human rights abuses in the country, particularly with respect to the rights of indigenous peoples.\n<\/p>\n
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