Canada will impose new sanctions on Iran following an ongoing violent crackdown on protesters, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday.
The sanctions will be applied to “dozens of individuals and entities, including Iran’s so-called morality police”, the prime minister said.
“We have seen Iran disregard human rights time and time again, and now we see it with the death of Mahsa Amini and the crackdown on protests,” Trudeau said, referring to the death of a youth from 22-year-old who was detained for allegedly violating the country’s compulsory veiling laws. Her death sparked outrage and sparked a wave of international protests, with some women cutting their hair or burning their hijabs in revolt.
“To the women in Iran who are protesting and to those who support you, we stand with you. We add our voices, the voices of all Canadians, to the millions around the world who are demanding that the Iranian government listen to their people. , end their suppression of freedoms and rights, and let women and all Iranians live their lives and express themselves peacefully,” Trudeau said.
Although no official notice of the new sanctions has been released by Global Affairs Canada, the Prime Minister noted that they are in addition to the exceptional measures Canada has taken against Iran.
In an email to CTV News, Adrien Blanchard, press secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, said Trudeau “announced Canada’s intention” to impose these sanctions, promising more details “in due course.” “.
Joly, along with MPs from all parties, denounced the escalation of tensions and the use of force against civilians in Iran, with the The House of Commons unanimously adopts a motion last week offering “solidarity to the women of Iran who are fighting for their rights and freedoms.”
With files from CTV News’ Michael Lee