Canada imposes new sanctions against two individuals for their participation in violent repression of Iranian women and girls

March 8, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. This is the 17th package of sanctions imposed by Canada against Iran since the death of Mahsa Amini in October 2022. Today’s sanctions are being imposed in response to the Iranian regime’s ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations, particularly against women and girls, and continued actions to destabilize regional peace and security.

These new measures apply to two individuals for their participation in the violent repression of Iranian citizens, targeting in particular women and girls. The Chief Executive of the Tehran metro system, Masoud Dorosti, is listed for his enforcement of the mandatory hijab law on public transit. A senior parliamentarian in the Majlis, Zohreh Elahian, is also listed for her support of the death penalty for protestors involved in the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement. These two individuals have used their positions of influence to call for or carry out increasingly repressive measures against women and girls in Iran.

These measures impose a prohibition on dealings related to the listed individuals and render them inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

On this International Women’s Day, Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to standing with women and girls, including in this case in Iran. Canada will continue to support the Iranian people as they courageously fight for a better future and for the right to make their own choices.