Joint Statement by Canada and United States on the Human Rights Situation in Iran 

December 9, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

“Canada and the United States are united in condemning the Islamic Republic of Iran’s brutal acts of violence against peaceful protestors and its ongoing repression of the Iranian people.  We also condemn Iran’s pervasive oppression and state-sponsored violence against women.  While these are longstanding concerns, the Iranian authorities’ intensification of violence against the Iranian people following the death of Mahsa “Zhina” Amini calls for consequential responses from all corners of the world.  

“Today, we have taken coordinated sanctions actions against Iranian officials connected to human rights abuses, including those committed as part of the ongoing brutal crackdown aimed at denying the Iranian people their human rights and fundamental freedoms.  Our sanctions come as Iran’s leadership continues to perpetrate violence against its people without relent.  Security forces reportedly have killed hundreds of peaceful protestors, including dozens of children, and have arbitrarily detained thousands of Iranians in their effort to silence the people of Iran.  We are gravely alarmed by recent reports that Iranian authorities are using sexual violence as a heinous means of protest suppression.   Iranian courts have also now begun issuing harsh sentences to advocates and protestors ranging from lengthy prison sentences to the death penalty.  

“We are united in our support for the brave people of Iran.  Together, we remain committed to finding more ways to impose costs on the perpetrators of human rights abuses against Iranians.  Everyone in Iran has the right to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and the Iranian regime must end its use of violence against its own people simply for exercising those rights.”