Ottawa condemns death of Mahsa Amini and state crackdown on protests in Iran

Canada's foreign affairs minister is condemning the death of Mahsa Aminiin Iranian police custody and the ensuing state crackdown on civilian protests.

"Her death was a direct result of the systemic and continued harassment and repression of women by Iran," Melanie Joly said in a media statement released Friday.

The 22-year-old Aminidied last weekfollowing her arrestby Iran's morality police for "unsuitable attire" after she allegedly wore a hijab improperly. Her deathunleashed a nationwide flood of protestsover humanrights, security and an economy reeling from international sanctions.

WATCH |Protesters in Iran take to the streets

Protesters in Iran take to the streets

2 years ago

Duration 0:40

Iranian cities including Tehran and Sardasht saw crowds of protesters running through the streets and lighting fires in response to the death of Mahsa Amini while she was in police custody, after being arrested for 'unsuitable attire.'

Women have played a prominent role in the demonstrations. Some have been publiclyburning their veils andcutting their hairin a direct challenge to clerical leaders.

Protesters across Iran continued to clash violently with security forces early Friday. Iranian state TV suggested the death toll from the unrest could be as high as 26, without offering details.

"We call on Iran to stop escalating tensions and to refrain from committing further acts of violence against its own population," Joly's statement said. "We urge Iran to meaningfully address the grievances of all of its citizens without discrimination and to protect their right to peaceful protest."

Earlier this week, Joly said Ottawa was following the protests closely and called for "a full and complete investigation into the regime's actions" in relation to Amini's death.

Other Western governments, such as the U.S. and France, condemned Amini's death earlier this week.

"Mahsa Amini should be alive today," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday."We call on the Iranian government to end its systemic persecution of women and to allow peaceful protest."

Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsmancritiqued Joly's statement, saying Canada's response to Iran "requires more than words."

"Canada should see the countless cases of brutality against the women of Iran and the violent crackdown on basic human rights and freedomsas a call to finally list [Iran's Revolutionary Guard]as a terrorist organization," Lantsman said in a media statement.

On Thursday,Iranian authorities warned thatprotests over Amini's death would have consequences. The Revolutionary Guardcalled on the judiciary to prosecute "those who spread false news and rumours" in an apparent bid to quashthe demonstrations.

WATCH | Human rights lawyer on calls for investigation:

Top UN official calls for independent investigation into death of Mahsa Amini

2 years ago

Duration 6:43

Shadi Sadr, human rights lawyer and executive director of Justice for Iran joins The Rundown to discuss calls from the UN high commissioner for human rights for an independent investigation into the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died last week after being apprehended by morality police.

On Tuesday, a top United Nations official demanded an independent investigation ofAmini's death.

"Mahsa Amini's tragic death and allegations of torture and ill treatment must be promptly, impartially and effectively investigated by an independent, competent authority," said Nada al-Nashif, the acting UN high commissioner for human rights.

NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson said the government needs to support the UN's call for an investigation and support Iranians seeking asylum in Canada.

"Gender-based violence continues to be a reality for many women and girls and the NDP is committed to pushing the government to provide concrete support women's rights in Iran," McPherson said in a media statement.