Canada takes aim at Iran's 'harassment,' 'repression' of women after recent death
Canada's foreign affairs minister is laying blame on the Iranian regime for the recent death of a woman, who was detained for allegedly violating the country's forced veiling laws.
In a statement Friday, Melanie Joly said, "Canada strongly condemns the reprehensible detention and killing of Mahsa Amini."
Iran's morality police arrested Amini in the country's capital, Tehran, last week for allegedly wearing her Islamic headscarf too loosely. Iranian women are required to wear hijabs in public.
Amini later died in custody and while police say the 22-year-old suffered a heart attack and was not mistreated, her family has doubted this account.
Iranians across the country have since protested on the streets and confronted police, with videos on social media showing women removing and burning their veils. Some women have also cut their hair in protest.
"Her death was a direct result of the systemic and continued harassment and repression of women by Iran," Joly said in her statement. "We stand in solidarity with Mahsa Amini's loved ones and the Iranian women."
Joly also condemned the "violent crackdowns" on civilians and said, "Canada is gravely concerned by potential further crackdowns and the use of additional force against civilians."
State TV in Iran said Thursday that 26 protesters and policemen have been killed since the protests began last Saturday following Amini's funeral, although it is unclear how authorities arrived at those numbers.
The Associated Press reports that at least 11 people have been killed, based on statements from state-run and semi-official media.
Iran has disrupted its internet and platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp in response to the protests. Anti-government protests were also met Friday by pro-government rallies.
"We call on Iran to stop escalating tensions and to refrain from committing further acts of violence against its own population. We urge Iran to meaningfully address the grievances of all of its citizens without discrimination and to protect their right to peaceful protest," Joly said.
"Women's rights are human rights. We salute the courage of the Iranian women who are peacefully protesting and we join them in sending the regime a very clear message: they must end all forms of persecution and violence against women."
CONSERVATIVES, NDP REACT TO PROTESTS
The House of Commons on Wednesday adopted a motion by unanimous consent to offer its condolences following Amini's death.
The federal government officially advises Canadians to avoid all travel to Iran and most recently has cautioned against attending areas where demonstrations are taking place.
In a statement on Twitter Wednesday, newly minted Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called Amini's killing "another heartbreaking act of brutality and murder by the Iranian dictatorship against the women of Iran."
"Trudeau needs to finally stand with Iranian people who are fighting for their freedom and list the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) as a terrorist group," he added.
The IRGC is a branch of the Iranian armed forces, formed in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution.
The United States listed the IRGC as a designated foreign terrorist organization in 2019.
Canada, meanwhile, has designated the IRGC's clandestine Qods Force as a terrorist entity, but has not done so for the corps itself.
Recent calls for Canada to label the IRGC a terrorist group have come following the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 by Iranian forces on Jan. 8, 2020, which killed all 176 people on board, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents. More than 100 passengers had ties to Canada.
In June 2018, the House also adopted a Conservative motion to list the IRGC as a terrorist entity, among other actions.
"Her name is #MahsaAmini. She was 22 years old. She was murdered. She was beaten and murdered by the Iranian regime. The House of Commons voted to declare IRGC a terrorist organization in 2018. The government has not acted to do so. It must happen now," Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman tweeted on Wednesday.
In a statement on Thursday, NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Heather McPherson praised the women and men in Iran who are "taking courageous steps to fight for their rights and freedoms," adding that the party supports the UN's call for an independent investigation into Amini's death.
"Mahsa's tragic death is a reminder that gender-based violence is still a reality for many women and girls around the world and Canadians are rightfully concerned about the on-going situation in Iran," McPherson said.
"It is disturbing to hear of the reports of the near-total internet blackouts as the Iranian government attempts to suppress protests."
A crackdown on protesters in 2019, sparked by rising gas prices, led to hundreds of estimated deaths, with one report from Reuters raising the death toll to as high as 1,500.
With files from The Associated Press, CNN and Reuters
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Canucks' Soucy suspended 1 game, Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosschecks on McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been suspended for a game and another was handed a hefty fine after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Local Spotlight
Adopted daughter in the Netherlands reunited with sister in Montreal and mother in Colombia, 40 years later
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
'Reimagining Mother's Day': Toronto woman creates Motherless Day event after losing mom
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.
Chris Hadfield inspires youth musical in Sudbury
YES Theatre Young Company opened its acclaimed kids’ show, One Small Step, at Sudbury Theatre Centre on Saturday.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.
'Oh Crap!' New exhibit at Canada Science and Technology Museum explores human waste
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop. A new exhibition opens at the Ottawa museum on Friday called, 'Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste.'