Canada imposes new sanctions on Russian, Iranian and Myanmar regimes

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

Today, on the eve of Human Rights Day, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada is imposing measures on those complicit in gross and systematic human rights violations in Russia, Iran and Myanmar.

The fundamental rights and freedoms of all people must be respected. As a strong defender of equality and human rights, Canada is committed to addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. This is why, as of today, Canada is imposing measures against a total of 67 individuals and 9 entities that are complicit in human rights violations around the world.

Under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, Canada is imposing sanctions against 33 current or former senior officials and 6 entities involved in gross and systematic human rights violations against Russian citizens who protest against the Russian regime’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and anti-democratic policies.

Under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations, Canada is imposing sanctions on 22 individuals who are complicit in gross and systematic human rights violations in Iran. This includes senior members of the Iranian judiciary, prison system and law enforcement forces, as well as political leaders, such as senior aides to the regime’s Supreme Leader and senior figures in state-directed media outlets.

And under the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations, Canada is imposing sanctions against 12 individuals and 3 entities who perform key functions on behalf of the Myanmar military regime, are responsible for democratic reversals, facilitate arms flows to the regime and enable the regime’s violence, including against civilians.

Canada and its international partners will continue to coordinate efforts to promote justice and maintain pressure on those around the world who systematically violate the most basic human rights and freedoms.