(Ottawa) Canada imposes sanctions on 25 senior Iranian officials and nine government entities, in protest at the violent crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran.
Posted at 11:17 a.m.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement on Monday that the sanctions were aimed at exposing “the continuing and systemic persecution of Iranian women”, “human rights violations” and “flagrant disregard for human life”. shown by the Iranian regime.
Thousands of Iranian men and women took to the streets after the death in mid-September of Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old died two days after being arrested by Iran’s “morality police” for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly.
Amnesty International says it has identified 52 people killed in Iran by the crackdown on protests that erupted two weeks ago.
Canadian sanctions announced on Monday target senior Vice Police officials; members of the general staff of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Evin prison, which houses political prisoners; and the Minister of Intelligence and Security.
Canadian sanctions freeze any assets these individuals and entities may have in Canada and prohibit individuals from entering Canada.
“Canada salutes the courage and actions of the Iranian people and will support them in their fight for their rights and dignity,” Minister Joly wrote in the press release.