The Magnitsky sanctions are a key lever for Canada, and all liberal democracies, to take against human rights violators in the Islamic Republic of Iran. It's really important because, as I mentioned, much like the former Soviet Union and Putin's regime, the Islamic Republic is a regime that is corrupt to its core.
Magnitsky sanctions can act as a deterrent for future human rights violators. Why? Because the sons, daughters and families of these same individuals—the same elites who enforce these hardline Islamist policies on the Iranian people and who commit human rights violations—travel to the west. They live abroad. They live lavish lifestyles across the west, including in Canada.
Using Magnitsky sanctions, which impose travel bans and freeze assets, can act as a deterrent. For future protests—and there will be future protests, by the way—using those sanctions could make that individual think twice before ordering a massacre on Iranian streets.
Magnitsky sanctions are an essential tool for Canada to use in targeting Islamic Republic officials.