December 15 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions against 4 individuals under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.

These individuals, all Iranian senior officials, have been involved in gross and systematic human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran), and have had a significant role in facilitating and directing repressive policies.

The four individuals are:

• Mohsen Karimi
• Ahmad Kadem Seyedoshohada
• Mustafa Mohebbi
• Hassan Akharian

Iran continues to crack down on protests and dissent in violation of international human rights obligations. Security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have used excessive and lethal force to suppress protests, restricting Iranians’ rights to freedom of opinion and expression and peaceful assembly and association, among others. Reports from human rights organizations and United Nations experts have documented extensive violations, beatings, arbitrary arrests and torture, including for those in custody.

With today’s announcement, Canada has imposed 18 rounds of sanctions since October 2022 against Iranian officials and entities responsible for human rights violations. This announcement coincides with Canada’s leadership, for the 23rd consecutive year, of the resolution on the human rights situation in Iran at the United Nations General Assembly. Canada will not hesitate to highlight Iran’s persistent disregard for human rights of its own people and call for change. It is imperative that Iran investigate all violations in line with international law, ensure justice for victims, and make certain that its policies and practices uphold its human rights obligations.