The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. This is the third package of sanctions imposed by Canada against the Iranian regime because of its ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations and continued actions to destabilize regional peace and security.
Today's sanctions list six individuals and four entities, that are among the worst offenders that have participated in or enabled gross human rights violations, including against Iranian women, and disseminated propaganda to justify the Iranian regime's repression and persecution of its citizens.
This list includes, but is not limited to:
- the Guardian Council, an entity that blocks meaningful participation in Iran's elections by disqualifying candidates who do not align with the regime's ideology and upholds laws that systematically violate the human rights of Iranians;
- the Assembly of Experts, an entity implicated in gross and systematic violations of human rights for its neglect in upholding constitutional provisions such as Article 38, which forbids torture;
- the Expediency Discernment Council, an entity comprised of senior regime officials who advise Iran's Supreme Leader in all policy areas and in mediating legislative disputes between Iran's Parliament and Guardian Council. It also upholds laws that systematically violate the human rights of Iranians;
- Seyyed Majid Mirahmadi, Deputy Interior Minister;
- Mohammad Karami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Operational Base in Sistan and Baluchistan; and
- Ezzatollah Zarghami, former head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Corporation.
These measures prohibit dealings with the listed individuals and entities, effectively freezing any assets they may hold in Canada. Individuals listed in response to gross and systematic violations of human rights are also rendered inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
The protection and promotion of human rights is an integral part of Canada's history, policies and constructive engagement in the world. Through its ongoing actions, the Iranian regime has demonstrated its blatant disregard for human life and human rights. For example, Iran's Evin prison, where the regime has long incarcerated and tortured political prisoners, human rights defenders, women and ethnic minorities, many of whom are arbitrarily detained or held as hostages, was sanctioned by Canada on October 3, 2022. Canada also imposed sanctions against its former director, Gholamreza Ziaei on the same day.
Through these measures, Canada is underscoring that these violations, whether in Iran or abroad, are unacceptable. Canada is committed to working towards listing individuals and entities responsible for gross and systematic human rights violations occurring in Iran, on an ongoing basis.
