Canada sanctions judges of Iran’s Revolutionary Courts for human rights violations

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

June 19, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. This is the 12th package of sanctions imposed by Canada against the Iranian regime since October 2022, and it builds on Canada’s efforts to align with designations announced by the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Today’s sanctions list 7 individuals for their role in gross and systematic human rights violations in Iran’s criminal justice system, notably Iran’s Revolutionary Courts. As an institution closely tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Intelligence, the Revolutionary Courts are notorious for issuing death sentences and harsh prison terms following sham trials and based on evidence gathered under torture.

The list of those sanctioned includes:

  • Morteza Barati, Judge, Esfahan Revolutionary Court
  • Hadi Mansouri, Judge, Mashhad Revolutionary Court
  • Musa Asif Al Hosseini, Judge, Karaj Revolutionary Court
  • Seyed Mahmoud Sadati, Judge, Shiraz Revolutionary Court
  • Mehrdad Tahamtan, Shiraz Advisory Judge of the Criminal Court
  • Mohammad Moghiseh, Judge, Supreme Court – Tehran Revolutionary Court
  • Heidar Asiyabi, Judge, Gorgan Revolutionary Court

Today’s measures prohibit dealings with these listed individuals, effectively freezing any assets they may hold in Canada. Individuals listed in response to gross and systematic violations of human rights are also inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Canada unequivocally opposes the use of the death penalty in all cases, everywhere. It is a form of punishment that is incompatible with human rights and human dignity. We will continue pressing the Iranian regime to address the legitimate grievances of its people, including respecting their human rights and freedoms and their ability to live and prosper in a society free from state-sponsored fear, suppression, intimidation and violence.

Quotes

“More than six months ago, the Iranian people demanded change. They issued a call that was heard around the world and asked the Iranian regime to respect their human rights and freedom. Yet, the regime has yet to respond and, instead, is increasing its use of execution, suppression and intimidation. Canada will continue to support the Iranian people and we will use the tools at our disposal to respond to Iran’s egregious actions.”

- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • On October 7, 2022, Canada announced its intention to implement several new measures to respond to Iran’s ongoing human rights violations and the threats Iran poses to international peace and security, including:

    • listing members of the Iranian regime, including the IRGC and its top leaders—more than 10,000 senior officials—as inadmissible to Canada because of their engagement in terrorism and in systematic and gross human rights violations by enacting a designation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
    • adopting new sanctions against members of the IRGC and the Iranian regime, as well as those associated with these, in addition to introducing a new, tailored regulation to ensure that no sanctioned individual connected to the IRGC can enter Canada, pending the passage of Bill S-8
    • investing $76 million to strengthen Canada’s capacity to implement sanctions and ensure the government can move more quickly to freeze and seize the assets of sanctioned individuals, including through a dedicated bureau at Global Affairs Canada and giving additional support to the RCMP to investigate and identify assets and to gather evidence
    • pursuing all the tools at the Government of Canada’s disposal, including the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, which enables restrictive financial and property measures to be taken against foreign nationals responsible for gross violations of human rights

  • As of today, Canada has sanctioned 163 Iranian individuals and 192 Iranian entities, including the IRGC and key members of the regime’s security intelligence and economic apparatus.

  • In 2012, Canada designated Iran as a state supporter of terrorism under the State Immunity Act. In concert with the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, this listing allows victims to bring civil action against Iran for losses or damages from an act of terrorism with links to Iran committed anywhere in the world.

Associated links

Contacts

Maéva Proteau
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Maeva.Proteau@international.gc.ca

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Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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