Iranian students to hold protest Friday at University of Calgary
A group of Iranian students of the University of Calgary are holding an event to coincide with UNICEF's upcoming International Children's Day.
An event spokesperson said UNICEF has been silent about the situation in Iran, in which they said almost 60 children have been killed.
In response, the Iranian envoy to UNICEF, actress Mahtab Keramati, resigned to protest a lack of action.
Event spokesperson Ako Bahari said the resignation of Keramati was meant to send a message to UNICEF.
"Iranian (people) learned an important lesson is a hard way," Bahari said, in an email to CTV News. "(That) the main function of some of the international bodies is to dissipate the anger toward crimes against humanity with almost meaningless statements after going through their corrupt and absurd bureaucracy, of course, whenever it does not accord with the agenda of their main influencer which are the international players (governmental and private) who determine the rules of the game.
"It has been over 62 days since the bloody crackdown over truly peaceful demonstrations with such a progressive slogan of "Woman, Life, Freedom" which has a deep philosophy for elevating humanity and the way a progressive society functions," she added, "but yet, after almost 60 kids have been murdered on the streets of Iran, UNICEF does not act and still hesitates!?
"It shows lack of moral transparency and integrity in the UN's subsidiaries, at the best and complicity in the crimes at its worst."
She said there are 1,500 Iranian graduate students at the University of Calgary and an undetermined number of undergraduates, with an estimated 15,000 Iranians living in the city.
The event will start at 11:30 a.m. in MacEwan Hall on the University of Calgary campus.
World Children's Day is Sunday, Nov. 20.
WOMEN'S MEDIA CENTRE STATEMENT
Meanwhile in New York, the Women's Media Centre paid tribute to the women's revolution of Iran Thursday.
The organization's co-founder Jane Fonda – along with Gloria Steinem and Robin Morgan – said her organization stood in solidarity with the women of Iran. "The Women's Media Centre feels it crucial to emphasize our solidarity with the Women's Revolution in Iran," Fonda said. "This is not only because to date more than 300 protestors have been killed and 14,000 arrested – including 63 journalists.
"This revolution is exploding all over Iran," Fonda said, "the likes of which have never been seen in the entire region."
Gloria Steinem added that while the U.S. has imposed sanctions on senior Iranian officials, it isn't enough.
"We want more action," Steinem said. "We want more sanctions. The Women's Media Centre calls on women everywhere to move in solidarity with Iranian women, and with this women's revolution."
The Women's Media Centre was founded in 2005 as an inclusive feminist organization that works to make women visible and powerful in media.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
Manitoba man sentenced to house arrest for keeping fishing tournament funds meant for Children's Hospital Foundation
A Manitoba man who pleaded guilty to keeping the funds raised from an ice-fishing fundraiser for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has been handed a sentence of 18 months house arrest.