Canada has imposed sanctions on two Iranian officials for their roles in repressing women and girls. This announcement coincides with International Women’s Day and highlights Canada’s ongoing concern about human rights abuses in Iran.
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized the dangers faced by Iranian women who simply want to express themselves or fight for basic rights. These sanctions bring the total number of sanctioned individuals and entities to 155 and 87 respectively, since the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. Amini’s death in custody after a hijab violation sparked widespread protests.
The newly sanctioned individuals are:
- Masoud Dorosti, CEO of Tehran’s metro system, who enforces the mandatory hijab rule on public transportation.
- Zohreh Elahian, a conservative parliamentarian who advocates for the death penalty against protestors involved in the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement.
Both individuals are accused of using their positions to worsen the situation for women in Iran. The sanctions prevent them from entering Canada and conducting any business with Canadians.
