A group of Iranian-Canadians gathered in the nation's capital this weekend, voicing a desperate plea for the Canadian government to take a stronger stand in support of anti-government protesters facing a severe crackdown in Iran.
Protest at the Heart of Canadian Democracy
On Saturday, approximately 17 protesters lined the sidewalk outside the East Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Holding signs and chanting, they called for international pressure on the Iranian regime, which has responded with lethal force to widespread demonstrations that have rocked the country for nearly two weeks.
The protest in Ottawa was a direct response to events unfolding in Iran. According to Associated Press reports, the Iranian government has severed most of the country's communication links with the world, shutting down phone lines and internet service in an attempt to stifle dissent and control the narrative.
A Rising Toll of Violence and Arrests
The human cost of the suppression is steep and difficult to fully ascertain. The Associated Press reported that as of Saturday afternoon EST, at least 72 people had been killed and more than 2,300 others detained. Independent verification remains challenging due to the information blackout imposed by authorities.
The crackdown has been signaled from the highest levels of the Iranian government. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei indicated a coming clampdown, while Iran’s attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, issued a chilling warning. He stated that anyone participating in the protests would be considered an "enemy of God," a charge that carries the death penalty.
Canada's Official Response and Diaspora's Call to Action
The Canadian government has issued statements condemning the Iranian regime's actions. Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a post on social media platform X on Friday evening, stated, "Canada strongly condemns the killing of protesters, and urges Iran to allow for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal." He expressed profound concern over reports of violence, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation.
Furthermore, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand joined counterparts from Australia and the European Union in a joint statement. They commended the bravery of the Iranian people and condemned the crackdown, specifically calling on Iran to end the use of excessive force by its security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij militia.
For the protesters in Ottawa, these statements are a start but not enough. Sharam Golestaneh, director of the Iran Democratic Association in Canada and the organizer of the Parliament Hill rally, highlighted the efforts of Iranians on the ground. He noted that people within Iran have been risking their safety to smuggle video clips out to international organizations like Amnesty International to document the regime's brutality.
The demonstration in Ottawa serves as a poignant reminder that global diasporas are directly connected to crises in their homelands. The Iranian-Canadian community is urging the Canadian government to move beyond condemnation to concrete diplomatic and supportive actions for those risking everything for fundamental rights in Iran.
