PRO-MEK DEMONSTRATOR ATTEMPTS SELF-IMMOLATION IN FRONT OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L VANCOUVER 000196 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/31/2019 TAGS: PTER PREL PHUM IZ IR CA ASEC SUBJECT: PRO-MEK DEMONSTRATOR ATTEMPTS SELF-IMMOLATION IN FRONT OF CONSULATE GENERAL VANCOUVER REF: A. BAGHDAD 2033, B.OTTAWA 596 CLASSIFIED BY: G. Kathleen Hill, Political/Economic Chief, US Consulate Vancouver, State. REASON: 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) An illegal but otherwise peaceful demonstration by supporters of the Mujahadeen-e-Khalq (MEK) in front of Consulate General Vancouver turned critical on July 31 as one of the demonstrators poured oil over her body and threatened to light herself on fire. The local guard force (LGF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reacted quickly to restrain the demonstrator. Ambulance, fire and Vancouver Police (VPD) were called in and the demonstrator was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. It is not clear if the demonstrator was prepared to go through with her threat or if the action was staged to bring greater publicity to the cause. The type of oil has not been specifically identified by police but they have informed us it was not highly flammable. Another twist to the incident is that the demonstrator was a former member of the Consulate contracted LGF in 2008 who had been dismissed after only one month of service because of erratic behavior. RCMP informed us that the other demonstrators claim they had no prior knowledge of the woman's intentions and were surprised by her actions; however, they made no attempt to stop her. The woman is being held under the Mental Health Act for observations but is otherwise unhurt. Consulate FSNI will report more details on this former contract employee through DS channels. ¶2. (C) Pro-MEK demonstrators first appeared in front of the Consulate on the afternoon of July 28 in an effort to draw attention to the recent attack on the Ashraf camp in Iraq by Iraqi police and military forces (ref A). Vancouver Police informed us that no permit was issued to the group and they were taken aback by their sudden appearance on Tuesday. Groups of at most 25 people have demonstrated every day since without a permit. At this time VPD is tolerating these illegal demonstrations, which had been generally peaceful and unobtrusive until now. A local Iranian-Canadian media personality told a Consulate officer that this group is small and has very little support in the broader Iranian community. The demonstrators have placards which are vague in wording, making references to calls for democracy in Iran and denouncing "religious dictatorship" but with no clear reference to the Ashraf camp situation. ¶3. (C) Comment: Because they are not seeking permits, we have no means of determining at this time how much longer the demonstrations will continue. A pro-MEK group also is demonstrating at Embassy Ottawa and has obtained a permit running through the end of September (ref B). The Consulate will continue to work with RCMP and VPD to monitor the group in Vancouver. Although VPD and RCMP are tolerating these illegal demonstrations, if more disorderly behavior is witnessed we will press them to shutdown these protests. End Comment. CHICOLA