Two years have elapsed since the House of Commons passed a resolution condemning Iranian-backed terrorism and calling on the government to list the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity.
B’nai Brith is questioning why the government still has not complied with this resolution, one that its own MPs supported.
Furthermore, the motion calls on the government to “immediately cease any and all negotiations or discussions with…Iran to restore diplomatic relations.” It also condemns “statements made by…Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling for genocide against the Jewish people.”
During the past two years, B’nai Brith has repeatedly called for the listing of the IRGC as a terrorist entity in Canada, without result. In February, we launched a lawsuit against the government over this very matter.
That there is ample evidence of Iran’s flouting international norms of behaviour and basic principles of human rights is evident from the following:
- On June 24, the United States Department of State released its latest report on global terrorism. “The Iranian regime and its proxies continued to plot and commit terrorist attacks on a global scale,” states the report’s foreword. “In the past, Tehran has spent as much as $700 million per year to support terrorist groups, including [Hezbollah] and Hamas…”
- On June 24, 20 Canadian parliamentarians from all five political parties signed an open letter calling for Iran to halt its persecution of Baha’is.
- On June 19, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution decrying Iran’s denial of access to inspectors of suspect sites; the Board also raised questions about possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear related activities.
Rights-monitoring groups, such as Iran Human Rights Monitor, have issued reports on the Iranian regime’s gross human-rights violations. Observations have included:
- Iran has not ratified and implemented important instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
- Iran has not allowed the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights to visit.
- Iran allows execution of juveniles.
- Iran criminalizes consensual same-sex activities.
- Iran’s constitution fails to ensure that religious minorities, including Christians, Jews, non-believers, Zoroastrians and Baha’i, are recognized and able to fully enjoy the right to freedom of religion and belief.
On Jan. 8, Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 was shot down near Tehran by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. More than fifty of the victims who perished in this tragedy were Canadian citizens.
For too long since this incident, Iran has failed to comply with its basic obligations. Canada’s Foreign Minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne, spoke with his Iranian counterpart on June 22 and was clear: “Immediate action is required from Iran to ensure they conduct a comprehensive, transparent investigation and provide compensation for families.” Champagne added that “Canada will continue working with its partners to ensure Iran follows through on its commitments and to ensure transparency, accountability, justice and closure for the families of the victims of this tragedy.”
“Iran’s unacceptable behaviour in failing to meet its international obligations and denying its citizens their basic rights must not be shrugged off, nor can Iran be rewarded for its obfuscation,” said Michael Mostyn, Chief Executive Officer of B’nai Brith Canada. “Together with the Council of Iranian Canadians and the Justice 88 Campaign, we have publicly urged the implementation of the June 2018 House of Commons motion.
“Recent evidence has made clear that Iran’s destabilizing behaviour and lack of decency continues. B’nai Brith should not have been forced to launch a lawsuit against the Canadian government because of its failure to list the IRGC as a terrorist group. We again call on the Government of Canada to hold Iran to account.”
