Hi. I am Arash Sobhani. Thank you.
Honourable members of Parliament, thank you for the opportunity to speak before you today.
The Iranian struggle stands apart from any other. Since its inception, the Islamic Republic has waged a relentless war, not against a political party, a specific ideology or a rival, but against a way of life.
If we distill culture to its essence, it is the very fabric of our day-to-day existence. The Islamic Republic seeks to dismantle and obliterate this way of life, resulting in nearly eight million Iranians fleeing their homeland, millions losing their lives, thousands being imprisoned and hundreds disappearing. This assault on our way of life begins by targeting the intellectuals, artists and cultural figures—the very pillars of the society.
The way of life under attack is a modern one that is rooted in human rights, human dignity and liberal democratic values. This modern way of life is the culmination of centuries of global struggle by individuals and people throughout history around the world. It has now manifest in western countries, placing a profound responsibility on decision-makers in the west. They must not only uphold human rights and liberal values within their own societies, but also safeguard the hard-won gains of countless individuals who endured torture, persecution and imprisonment globally throughout history. Their sacrifices have granted us the freedom of expression we enjoy today in parts of the world. Therefore, I believe the responsibility of western politicians extends beyond mere sympathy and condemnation; it necessitates taking meaningful actions to preserve freedom of speech and human rights globally.
Now let's delve into some of the human rights violations that specifically target intellectuals and artists in Iran.
One example was the cultural revolution purge. After the Islamic Republic's cultural revolution, there was an unprecedented purge of university professors and students. Around 20,000 teachers deemed too westernized were dismissed. Ironically, many of the operatives of this purge now work in western universities as experts.
Another example is the imprisonment of writers and intellectuals. In 2021, at least 277 writers and public intellectuals in Iran were unjustly imprisoned or detained. Many faced repeated detentions over multiple years, indicating the continued repressions that they face.
There were the chain murders. Between 1988 and 1998, over 80 writers, translators, poets, political activists and ordinary citizens were killed in what became known as the chain murders.
We see the detainment of filmmakers and musicians. Over 100 Iranian filmmakers, actors and musicians have been detained, banned from working or face travel bans for supporting the 2022 protests. This has only happened in the last two years. It's 100 intellectuals, filmmakers and artists.
Kiumars Pourahmad and Dariush Mehrjui—two celebrated Iranian directors—were found dead under suspicious circumstances after becoming vocal critics of the regime.
In individual cases, Toomaj Salehi, the famous Iranian rapper, has faced torture, including the injection of unknown substances and sleep deprivation, and is currently under a death sentence. Saman Yasin has endured torture, including mock executions. Vafadar and Daniel Moghadam, two rappers, have been detained at an unknown location. Shervin Hajipour was arrested because of his artistic expressions. Artists like Rasoulof and Panahi, who are famed Iranian filmmakers, face severe restrictions that prevent them from working and being productive. Rasoulof recently had to flee Iran by foot, as he was banned from travelling and banned from work.
The IRGC remains the main enforcer of these measures, creating various cultural organizations and dominating the entertainment and publishing sectors. Imposing sanctions on any cultural arm of the IRGC or any organizations remotely connected or funded by the IRGC can be considered to be a step in defending the rights of the artists.
In conclusion, it's imperative for the international community, including the Canadian Parliament, to take a decisive stand against such violations and work to hold the Iranian regime accountable. Let's not just condemn these atrocities, but take concrete actions to support the rights and freedom of artists and intellectuals in Iran.
Our collective commitment to human rights and freedom of expression must transcend borders and serve as a beacon of hope for those who continue to resist oppression and strive for a more just and equitable society.
Thank you.