Canada expands sanctions against Iran for human rights violations

The Government of Canada announced the expansion of sanctions against Iran due to involvement in “terrorism and systematic and gross human rights violations” on Sunday, effectively barring anyone who has served as a senior government official in Iran since 2019 from Canada.

This measure enhances the previous sanctions against the Iranian regime which were implemented in November 2022, under section 35(1)(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). The terrorist designation of the Iranian regime has also been extended retroactively to June 23, 2003, marking the date when Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi was detained, tortured, and killed. Canada initially designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism in 2012.

Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc stated that the Canadian government intends to send “a strong message that those involved in terrorism, human rights violations, and atrocities are not welcome here.”

Canada listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under section 83.01 of the Criminal Code on June 19, 2024. This listing reflects the government’s stance that the IRGC has engaged in terrorism and supports other listed terrorist groups such as Hizballah and Hamas. This means that Canadian financial institutions are required to freeze the assets of the IRGC members.

Canadian sanctions against Iran have progressively been expanded since initially being implemented in 2010. Since then, Canada has imposed numerous sanctions targeting Iranian individuals and entities under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (JVCFOA).

The Canada Border Services Agency will enforce these measures by examining visa applications and investigating individuals suspected of being inadmissible under these designations. This includes possible removal from Canada for those already present in the country.