Canada helped gays escape Iran: Baird
PHOTO | STR Canadian Foreign Minister, John Baird (R), speaks with Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna at the Hyderabad House before a meeting on September 12, 2012. Canada has helped "a large number" of gays and lesbians immigrate from Iran, which renounces them for their homosexuality, according to Baird.
What you need to know:
- Canada's immigration minister, Jason Kenney, "is working with groups that are active in this regard and helped a large number of people come to Canada," he said in response to a question after a speech on Canadian values
- His speech at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations touted Canada's efforts to promote the rights of women, as well as those of gays and lesbians abroad
- Baird also noted the death of Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato, who was beaten to death last year
MONTREAL
Canada has helped "a large number" of gays and lesbians immigrate from Iran, which renounces them for their homosexuality, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Friday.
Canada's immigration minister, Jason Kenney, "is working with groups that are active in this regard and helped a large number of people come to Canada," he said in response to a question after a speech on Canadian values.
His speech at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations touted Canada's efforts to promote the rights of women, as well as those of gays and lesbians abroad.
"Too many countries have regressive and punitive laws that criminalize homosexuality," he said.
Baird also noted the death of Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato, who was beaten to death last year.
