PC Leader Patrick Brown on the Persecution of the Middle Eastern and South Asian Christians
Toronto - Nov. 15, As the Scarborough-Agincourt PC candidate in the next provincial elections, I was delighted to participate and to coordinate our party leader's Middle Eastern and South Asian Christian reception at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario today.
The gathering focused on the persecution of the Middle Eastern and South Asian Christians by extremists such as ISIS. At the reception, Gila Martow, MPP (Thornhill), read the text of the motion which she had introduced earlier in the day at the Legislative Assembly. Copy of the motion is attached.
In his remarks, the PC Leader Patrick Brown stated: “We denounce those who value death over life, and unapologetically proclaim our values—freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“We are fortunate to live in a country that values these principles. Freedom of conscience and religion is a fundamental human right, and people must be free to worship without fear of violent reprisal.
“I have taken every opportunity to stand firmly against hate, discrimination, bigotry, and persecution.
“We must never forget those who gave up their lives for the sake of their conscience, and we must work to ensure that human rights are extended to every far corner of the globe.
“The persecution of Christians in the Middle East and religious minorities throughout the world is a serious problem that must be addressed head on.”
The packed room included Armenian, Assyrian, Chaldean, Coptic, Maronite, Melkite, Greek Orthodox from Antioch, Syriac Christians as well as South Asia Christians, clergy, and lay representatives. They expressed their appreciation of PC party leader and leader of the official opposition Patrick Brown’s initiative in highlighting the persecution of the above Christian groups. The audience commended Mr. Brown for his compassion, moral fortitude, and principled stance in championing the human rights of the above vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities.
I had the pleasure, with my colleague Sheref Sabawy (Mississauga- Erin Mills PC candidate), to introduce our party leader to the attendees. I am proud of our leader’s moral courage in standing up to defend the rights of the disadvantaged not only in Ontario but wherever else they may live. This attribute of our leader, in addition to his vision to bring decorum to Ontario’s politics, how Ontarians govern themselves, his inclusiveness and opening the party to our diverse mosaic impelled me to become a PC candidate.