Since September, protests in Iran – and their violent repression – have been in the news. It was the arrest of the young Mhasa Amini, for a badly worn veil, and her death in detention, at the hands of the police, which set the powder on fire.
Iranian women have taken to the streets by coming out to denounce the harassment and oppression of which they are victims. Then, this “feminist revolution” extended to all Iranians, men and women, mostly young, who want the end of a regime that is suffocating them. According to estimates by human rights groups, nearly 470 protesters are said to have died, including several dozen children, and between 16 and 18,000 others were arrested.
In the face of strikes and uprisings, the regime sought to make some concessions, but eventually crushed the resistance with force. The crisis has thus entered a new phase.
The “revolutionary courts” held a series of trials, condemning dozens of demonstrators to death without even being able to choose their lawyer. Two young men were publicly hanged a month after their arrest.
Information comes to us in bits and pieces and often without confirmation, but the stories make us shudder. Prison guards reportedly severely beat young Elham Modaresi for going on a hunger strike; according to his family, his life is in danger. Another young woman, Sepideh Qalandari, is said to have died under torture after her arrest in Tehran; his body would have been handed over to his family against the promise of silence. A 23-year-old student, Fatemeh Gorji, was sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes for participating in the protests. Young Arshia Takdastan, 18, has just been sentenced to death for having “led” demonstrations in the north of the country. A few days ago, the Supreme Court of Iran upheld the death sentence of Mohammad Mehdi Karami, a 22-year-old karate champion, for his participation in the protests.
Torture, the repression of demonstrations and the denial of fundamental justice for detainees have been denounced throughout the world.
PHOTO NATHAN HOWARD, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Demonstrations in support of Iranian protesters have taken place around the world, such as this vigil in Washington on December 17.
What can we do ?
Canada has little influence over the Iranian regime. Economic and diplomatic relations between the two countries are very limited. This does not mean, however, that we are completely helpless.
Sponsor those on death row
Already, more than 300 parliamentarians in Germany, France and Austria have agreed to symbolically “sponsor” death row inmates, in order to draw attention to their fate. In Canada, we are about twenty parliamentarians to have joined the movement. The two signatories of this text sponsor a young teacher from Tehran, Mona Afsami, arrested on October 19 and accused of collusion against national security.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE AUTHORS
Teacher Mona Afsami, arrested by Tehran on October 19 and charged with collusion against national security, was sponsored by the authors.
The Canadian government could also take inspiration from other countries and increase pressure on the Iranian regime. Three paths are possible.
Possible additional penalties
Canada has already imposed economic sanctions against 84 individuals and 25 Iranian entities suspected of being complicit in systematic human rights abuses. Those targeted are subject to a ban on transactions, but more severe sanctions are possible, including the seizure of assets for redistribution to victims of the Iranian regime or to groups that come to their aid, under the Magnitsky law. .
Second, Canada could follow the example of the United States and Great Britain and declare the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group.
This designation would have the effect of facilitating the work of prosecutors seeking criminal convictions.
Finally, the Iranian diaspora has long denounced that allies of the Iranian regime can immigrate to Canada without problems. The federal government should therefore tighten its checks to ensure that its reception and immigration policies benefit the victims of the Iranian regime, rather than its beneficiaries.
After the violent upheavals of 2022, the year 2023 will be decisive for the Iranian people who dream of freedom and for those, including millions of Canadians, who have shown their solidarity with them. It is time for Canada to deploy all its means to support the aspirations of our friends in Iran: women, life, freedom.