NDP MP calls on Liberals to explain their inaction on supporting Iranian protestors

OTTAWA - On Wednesday, NDP Foreign Affairs Critic MP Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona) called on Minister Joly and the federal government to answer for their decision not to list the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. McPherson is raising the issue at the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs in response to the Iranian regime’s continued brutal repression and executions of protestors and the Liberal government’s inaction to address it.

“Canadians rightfully deserve answers for the Liberal government’s decision not to designate IRGC as a terrorist organization. The IRGC is detaining and executing human rights defenders, artists, journalists, students and lawyers who bravely fight for their basic human rights,” said McPherson. “It’s clear the IRGC is a murderous regime, and the Liberal government has to explain why they aren’t using all measures available to them.”

Many Iranian Canadians have called on the federal government to list the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity. The NDP supports this listing and wants assurances from the federal government that innocent Iranians, including conscripts, won’t be unfairly affected.

McPherson’s motion asks the committee to explore the connections between people or assets in Canada and the IRGC, and discuss paths forward to support Iranian human rights activists, artists, journalists, and other political refugees wanting to come to Canada.

“The Liberals can claim to be steadfast in their support for Iranians, but they continue to implement half measures. Iranian Canadians and all Canadians stand with the people of Iran and want their government to hold the murderous Iranian regime accountable,” said McPherson. “If Liberals and Conservatives are serious about supporting Iranians, this motion should receive support from all parties. And this is only the first step - New Democrats will continue to push the Liberal government to employ every tool at their disposal to support the Iranian people and ensure an end to the human rights violations.”