Evidence of meeting #153 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was judiciary.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Co-Founder, Abdorrahman Boroumand Foundation
Actually, targeting and sanctioning human rights violators not only is a deterrent for the violators, but also boosts the morale of those fighting on the ground. One of the tricks of the totalitarian system is to make activists and dissidents feel completely isolated from within and from without.
When a government like the Canadian government, which is hosting so many Iranian migrants, targets human rights violators, then this, even psychologically, boosts the morale of others. Really the new head of the judiciary should be the target of individual sanctions for gross human rights violations. I am wondering if it's possible even to consider the judiciary as an institution to be targeted as a major systemic violator of human rights. That is the question.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anita Vandenbeld
Thank you very much.
Ms. Hardcastle, you have four minutes for your questions.
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Thank you to all of you. I'm going to get right into it because of the time.
Targeted sanctions and targeted support: I'm looking at it that way. We heard from Ms. Shafipour that the lawyer who championed her is now imprisoned. We heard a moment ago from Ms. Boroumand about targeting the judiciary. Are there opportunities for us that haven't been used yet and are worthy of exploring, in terms of ways that Canada can be concentrating on the judiciary?
I know that we have a periodic review coming up in November of this year. Now would be a time, in my view, to build a case and build momentum or awareness on this. I'd like to hear quickly, if you could give us your thoughts, on how we can actually target the judiciary but also support members of the judiciary who are on the front lines, helping to defend human rights.
I don't know who wants to start. Ms. Shafipour.
As an Individual
[Witness spoke in Farsi, interpreted as follows:]
I want to emphasize the point that targeted sanctions of judicial and security personnel in Iran could be very effective. The sanction of the Revolutionary Guard caused the Revolutionary Guard to not be directly involved in oppressing demonstrators in early 2018, but instead to take a back seat. Previously, the Revolutionary Guard did this in a bullying fashion and was proud of doing so, but it didn't behave this way after being sanctioned.
NDP
Co-Founder, Abdorrahman Boroumand Foundation
Yes. Dr. Akhavan also knows very well that the crime against humanity committed by Mr. Raisi in 1988 has been analyzed by jurists, and they have some options that Canada may be able to support in bringing this case of a crime against humanity to some more important international forum, like The Hague, for an advisory opinion. Canada's consistent support for the special rapporteur on human rights in Iran is also very important.
Also, sanctioning individual human rights violators would be very good, because Canada is such an important immigrant destination for the Iranian community.
President, Council for Muslims Facing Tomorrow
I agree with supporting the human rights voices and activists, and targeting explicit sanctions on those who are violating human rights. I've been at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. They will not do anything. It is up to us as country, Canada, to show an example. We can do it.
Also, listing the IRGC as a terrorist organization will send a very strong message of support to the Iranian people.
Professor, McGill University, As an Individual
In addition to targeted sanctions, you asked whether there are parts of the judiciary that we can empower. I don't think so. I think the revolutionary courts were created as an engine for mass executions from the very beginning of the revolution, as Dr. Boroumand mentioned.
The elements of the judiciary who are the human rights defenders, like Nasrin Sotoudeh and Narges Mohammadi, are all languishing in prison. We need targeted sanctions on the one hand, and we need, on the other hand, to give recognition and legitimacy to those who are really the moral leaders in Iran, which is why I proposed that Ms. Sotoudeh be considered for honorary Canadian citizenship. I think that would send a very powerful message and encourage civil society in Iran to know that they are not alone, that they are not isolated.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anita Vandenbeld
Thank you very much.
I want to thank all four of our witnesses; Professor Akhavan, whom I unfortunately forgot to mention in my initial introduction; Maryam Shafipour, who is here in person; Dr. Boroumand; and Raheel Raza.
I also want to thank the witnesses who came on Tuesday and the witnesses who came before the foreign affairs committee last week.
That concludes our Iran Accountability Week for 2019. The committee hopes that we have had the ability to amplify the very courageous voices of human rights defenders and advocates in Iran and outside of Iran, and we thank everybody who participated.
I will now suspend for just a few moments. We will be going in camera for committee business.
[Proceedings continue in camera]