(Toronto) Canada will not give up until Iran accepts responsibility for the crash of an airliner shot down by its armed forces two years ago, promised on Saturday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“I promise you that we will continue to fight for the accountability, transparency and justice you deserve,” Trudeau told relatives and friends of the victims of the tragedy during a memorial ceremony.
A Ukraine International Airlines aircraft was shot down by Iranian forces on January 8, 2020. More than 100 of the 176 people killed in the crash had ties to Canada, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents.
Speaking in a video, Mr. Trudeau attributed the tragedy “to contempt for the human life of the Iranian authorities”. “We won’t stop there! He exclaimed.
During the commemoration, a group representing the families of the victims expressed their anger and exasperation at Iranian intransigence.
“Our patience is running out,” said Hamed Esmaeilion, who heads the Association of Families of Flight PS752. Today is the day when diplomacy is silent and justice begins. ”
The group is calling for the case to be brought before the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency headquartered in Montreal. He also calls for a criminal investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
He wants arrest warrants issued and sanctions imposed on Iran’s main political and military leaders. He wants the Islamic Revolutionary Guards declared a terrorist organization.
Iran earlier this week ignored another deadline set by Canada and its allies to negotiate a settlement for the families.
“We keep writing polite letters one after the other,” said Esmaeilion. We will not be content with empty excuses and political games. We will never forget. We will never forgive. ”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor John Tory and three federal ministers also delivered speeches during the ceremony.
During this, mothers, sometimes in tears, listed the names of the victims. Videos were shown showing relatives of all ages of victims speaking directly to them.
A vigil outside was to follow the ceremony.
The Conservatives are raising the tone
The Conservatives have raised their voice, demanding that the federal government impose sanctions on Iranian leaders.
“Iran’s refusal to negotiate compensation for the victims clearly shows that the Liberal government must use all the tools at its disposal nationally and internationally,” MPs Michael Chong, James Bezan and Melissa Lantsman said in a statement. communicated.
The party also calls for the government to initiate discussions with ICAO “to limit Iran’s ability to operate commercial aircraft in international airspace until it agrees to meet international standards in the framework of the investigation ”.