M.P. TILSON MEETS WITH THE BAHA’I COMMUNITY OF CALEDON
May 02, 2006


BOLTON, ON – David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, recently met with local representatives of the Baha’i community of Caledon. The Baha’i faith is one of the world’s fastest growing religions with approximately five million followers residing in almost every country around the globe.


Despite the large following globally, the Baha’i population, in Iran, has been subjected to persecution by the Iranian government, through a series of arrests, propaganda attacks, and executions. Representatives from the Baha’i community of Caledon came to discuss the troubling human rights situation in Iran with Mr. Tilson and to draw attention to the United Nations recent announcement of its concern with treatment of those belonging to the Baha’i community in Iran. During their meeting, Mr. Tilson and the representatives discussed the international community’s response to date, as well as the position of the Canadian Government.

After speaking with the members of the Baha’i community of Caledon, Mr. Tilson was quoted as saying, “I am deeply troubled by the current human rights situation in Iran. We as Canadians value and respect all religions, so it is quite upsetting to hear of countries who do not have the same respect for all religions. The Canadian Government is very concerned with this situation and is monitoring it closely. I will also be informing Minister McKay of my recent meeting with the Baha’i community of Caledon and will work with our Government to urge constructive change in that country.”
For more information, please contact David Tilson’s Bolton constituency office at 905-857-6080 or for more information on the Baha’i community of Caledon, please feel free to contact Garth Schmalenberg at 416-919-6598 or visit www.bahai.org.

Ottawa Office:
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House of Commons
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Orangeville ON L9W 1K4
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Bolton ON L7E 1T6
905-857-6080
905-857-5570
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