Accountability for suppression

OPINION:

It’s an honor to participate in the Free Iran Global Summit, Iran rising up for freedom. I want to acknowledge the bravery and tenacity of Iranian freedom fighters as they stand up against one of the world’s worst oppressive regimes, the Islamic Republic of Iran. You have my full support, along with the tens of thousands of others, as you continue the fight for freedom, democracy, and human rights in Iran.

Canada can and must do more to defend freedom and democracy in Iran and hold the Khamenei regime accountable for the blood it has on its hands.

I was horrified by the atrocities against innocent protestors in Iran and Iraq in November and December, and the lack of empathy or response from many governments.

The coronavirus pandemic came on the heels of the shooting down of [Ukraine International Airlines] Flight PS752 and has caused much loss of life in Iran, including many Iranian Canadians. I sympathize with all those affected by the virus and the shooting down of the flight.

Canada’s conservatives are calling for the following: use Magnitsky Act sanctions to freeze the assets of high ranking regime officials responsible for shooting down the commercial passenger flight; list the IRGC as a terrorist organization; impose sanctions on high ranking Iranian officials for being the biggest state sponsors of global terrorism in the world; and finally, slam the door shut on the question of renewing official diplomatic relations with the Iranian regime. Appeasement must stop.

Holding to account and sanctioning of the regime’s leadership is necessary not only for the shooting down of Flight PS752, but also for the mullahs’ ongoing state sponsorship of global terrorism and destabilizing the political and security sphere in the Middle East. This includes the 1988 massacre of political dissidents and religious and ethnic minorities, which included Kurds, Christians, Jews, Baha’i, but overwhelmingly targeted and slaughtered tens of thousands of innocent members of the People’s Mujahedin Organization, MEK.

Ayatollah Khamenei, President Rouhani, and the regime’s cabinet ministers must be held responsible for their crimes against humanity.

I want to thank Madame Rajavi. Your tireless efforts and your ten-point plan to bring independence, democracy, freedom, and human rights to Iran should inspire each and every one of us.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with you as you carry on the relentless battle to save Iran for the people of Iran and snatch it back from the grasp of the blood-soaked tyrants who have held it hostage for far, far too long.