June 21, 2005

Mr. Abbas Assemi
Chargé d'Affaires
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
245 Metcalfe St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 2K2 Canada

Dear Mr. Assemi,

I am writing on behalf of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression around the world.

CJFE is shocked by reports of an attack on Iranian-Canadian documentary filmmaker Masoud Raouf by Iranian Embassy guards in Ottawa, Canada. On Friday, June 17, Raouf went to film Iranians casting their absentee ballots at the Embassy as well as the protests being held outside. He receieved permission from the RCMP to enter the Embassy and, once inside, he went to the reception desk to ask for permission to set up his camera.

He was reportedly stopped by three Embassy guards who seized his camera and attacked him. He claims that he was thrown against a wall and that he was repeatedly punched and kicked by the guards. After leaving the Embassy he was taken to a hospital.

CJFE calls on the Iranian government to cooperate fully with the RCMP's current investigation into these allegations and to ensure that media workers who visit your Embassy are not threatened by violence or intimidation.

I look forward to receiving your prompt reply.

Yours truly,

Rod Macdonell
Executive Director

PL05-10

C.C.:Mr. Gordon Venner, Ambassador, the Canadian Embassy to the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Hon. Pierre Pettigrew, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs