Transport Committee on June 10th, 2021

[Kourosh Doustshenas]

Let me answer the question regarding the RCMP. The reason we ask that a criminal investigation file be opened in Canada is that it would allow us to have a way of getting justice. When victims have no way of seeking justice, what else is left? People start thinking about revenge. Revenge is not the same as justice. However, in the absence of finding a venue to have that kind of justice delivered to the people who are victims.... It is very important.

We understand that the RCMP doesn't have all the evidence now, but every other day I read.... In fact, yesterday I was reading a newspaper that was talking about a cold case that was solved after 30 years. If you don't have an open case, if it becomes a cold case, eventually evidence will come to the surface. People travel outside Iran. They could be subpoenaed. They could be asked and forced to answer questions.

In the absence of any active investigation, how do you know if you have enough evidence or you don't? You're prejudging that by completely pushing it aside. If you ask what our main goal is and what our association's main ask is today, I guarantee you that would be the ask: Ask the RCMP to open the file and open a criminal investigation without delay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Vance Badawey]

Thank you, Mr. Doustshenas.

We're now going to move on to Mr. Alavi.

Mr. Alavi, do you have closing comments?

[Amirali Alavi]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

In closing, I will answer most of these four questions broadly.

We know that probably not all of the truth will be revealed, no matter how much pressure we put on Iran. However, it is important to put that pressure on and to pursue Iran at whatever venue we have available to us, through whatever tool we have available to us, in order to have as much of the truth as possible.

I spoke about having [Technical difficulty—Editor] to respond to the downing of flight PS752, and having a criminal investigation opened by the RCMP will be part of it. This will send a signal through an investigation, as my friend Mr. Doustshenas was saying. We can set a reward for information.

We already have informants reaching out to us through our association. We have no way of validating the evidence they are trying to give us. We need the RCMP's help. The RCMP can go much further than that. We can have people interviewed. We can establish a closer connection with the Ukrainian law enforcement authorities, who are also conducting a criminal investigation. We need to help the Ukrainians and take leadership in this case.

Lastly, I think, a question was asked about public pressure and whether it has any effect on the regime. Public pressure does have an effect on the regime. In fact, this is the only thing it is scared of. More than that, the coalition that like-minded countries can have is also scary for the regime. That will force it to reveal as much of the truth as we can get out of Iran.

There are so many talks being held with Iran.... Canada needs to take leadership. Canada needs to talk to the other countries to make the PS752 case a priority for all of them, because this is a human rights violation. This is a lot more than that, too. This is not just related to Canada. This goes for all the world. We really need to see leadership and a focused, comprehensive plan by the government.

Thank you so much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Vance Badawey]

Thank you to all of you gentlemen for coming out today, Mr. Esmaeilion, Mr. Doustshenas, and Mr. Alavi. Your time today is absolutely priceless. I want to say on behalf of all members, and repeat what most have already said, that our hearts are just so heavy and have been since that dreadful day. Words alone can never, ever convey the sorrow of all Canadians.

With that, the best we can say is that we stand with you. All 338 members of Parliament together stand with you in these days. As one member mentioned today, what you've been going through and what you're going through now is something we could never imagine. With that, again our sincerest appreciation for your attendance today and of course for your interventions, which will most definitely be part of the final report that we'll present to the House. Once again I want to thank you for that.

To the members, thank you as well for your participation today. There has been great work, great questions, and a great job.

Thanks to the earlier panel members for their time.

With that, members, I will bid you a good night and adjourn this meeting.