Manya wrote on May 2012
Dear Minister , Jason Kenney,
We the concerned citizens of Canada of Iranian origin , are writing to you in response to the closure of the visa section of the Canadian Embassy in Tehran. While the oppressive nature of the Iranian regime is known to the democratic world, we can not emphasis more strongly that actions like this only play in the hands of the regime in strengthening their stand that the International community does not care for the citizens of Iran inside or outside the country.
It has been mentioned that this action has financial reasons behind it. In what way does the closure save Canada enough money to justify the hardship it causes to the hundreds of Iranians who visit Canada regularly each year! The cost and hardship of travelling to a third country in order to obtain visa for Canada is beyond many people, keeping in mind that many of these visitors are elderly parents of Iranian-Canadians already living here.
We urge you to order the reversal of the action in the shortest time possible keeping in mind that the Iranian community of Canada has integrated well into this society and has contributed heavily into the economy of Canada.
We would like to also emphasis that the hardship the people of Iran have endured in the past 34 years knows no boundaries , and many have taken refuge in Canada for a safe and dignified life. Returning them back to Iran is a betrayal of the basic human rights to which Canada is a signatory .We would like the minister to consider this more seriously and allow a moratorium to the deportations for the time being.
Sincereley,
Manya, on behalf of No Deportations To Iran