March 8, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Mélanie Joly, today announced the imposition of new sanctions by Canada Regulations on special economic measures of Iran. This is the 17th set of sanctions Canada has imposed on Iran since the death of Mahsa Amini in October 2022. The sanctions announced today are in response to blatant and systematic human rights violations, particularly against women and girls, committed by the Iranian regime and the actions the regime continues to take to destabilize peace and security in the region.

These new measures target two individuals for their involvement in the violent repression of Iranian citizens, particularly targeting women and girls. The General Director of the Tehran Metro, Masoud Dorosti, is the subject of these sanctions because he applied the law on the obligation to wear the hijab in public transport. A senior Majlis lawmaker, Zohreh Elahian, is also concerned about her support for the death penalty for protesters who took part in the Women, Life, Freedom movement. These two individuals have used their positions of influence to call for or implement increasingly repressive measures against women and girls in Iran.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection ActThese measures impose a ban on transactions with individuals on the list and make them inadmissible for entry into Canada.

This International Women's Day, Canada remains committed to supporting women and girls, including today's announcement of Iranian women. Canada will continue to support the Iranian people in their courageous fight for a better future and the right to make their own decisions.