I just want to thank the witness, Professor Akhavan, for an excellent presentation. I want to echo the words you mentioned, Mr. Chairman. We are fortunate that he is here to help us wrap up these hearings and to provide a conceptual appreciation as we go on to write the report on the condition of human rights in Iran today and the role the Canadian government can play in exercising principled leadership.
On that point, there are some questions I'd like to put to Professor Akhavan. Canada once again will be co-sponsoring a resolution on human rights at the UN General Assembly. Do you believe that the resolution this year should have specific and expressed reference to the matters to which you referred? Also, should it be attended by a recommendation for sanctions?
I find it somewhat surprising that the only sanctions resolutions that have been passed thus far have been resolutions of the UN Security Council in relation to the nuclear issue. It is, yet again, another example of the sanitizing of the human rights violations as we focus on the nuclear. Indeed, I don't want for a moment to say that one should not be focusing on the nuclear; I'm saying that only focusing on the nuclear tends to result in emboldening the government and marginalizing the opposition as we sanitize the human rights abuses.
So first, how might the resolution be refined and enhanced?
Second, should Canada, for example, list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity or adopt sanctions specifically targeting them since they are at the core of much of the criminal mischief in Iran today?
Third, do you have some suggestions as to how Canada might target the Iranian energy infrastructure and companies that may be based in Canada and are otherwise dealing with that infrastructure, to again, on the principle of accountability, hold those who need to be held accountable so accountable?