Canadian Parliament Calls for Sanctions Against 31 Iranian Judges and Prosecutors Following 'Tomaaj Salehi' Resolution

On Monday, June 18, Canadian Parliament members unanimously passed a resolution condemning the death sentence of Tomaaj Salehi, an Iranian rapper, and requested the Canadian government to impose sanctions on judges and prosecutors of the Islamic Revolutionary Courts. The resolution was presented by Heather McPherson, a Member of Parliament from the New Democratic Party. It calls for sanctions against 31 judges and prosecutors responsible for human rights violations. This list was prepared by a group of Iranians abroad called 'Collective Justice for Iranians' in collaboration with international lawyers and human rights advocates. The 'Collective Justice for Iranians' consists of Iranians living abroad who came together after the nationwide protests in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police. Ms. McPherson thanked the efforts of Iranian Canadians who have faced threats for addressing human rights violations in Iran. According to this Canadian MP, reports have emerged of threats from the Islamic Republic against the security of this group of Iranian Canadians and their relatives in Iran. The resolution also condemns 'gender discrimination, violations of civil liberties, murder, intimidation, and violent actions by the Islamic Republic against the people of Iran' and emphasizes Canada's support for Iranians striving for human rights and democracy. Ms. McPherson urged the Canadian government to take this list seriously and sanction the individuals named in it. She stated that this action is essential to support Tomaaj Salehi and send a clear message that Canada will continue to fight for democracy and human rights worldwide. The news of the death sentence issued for this protesting singer by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court has sparked a widespread global outcry against this ruling, which continues to this day. On May 17, Amnesty International sent a letter to the head of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic calling for the cancellation of Tomaaj Salehi's death sentence. This human rights organization emphasized that this Iranian rapper was sentenced to death solely for participating in the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement and for posting messages on social media criticizing the authorities of the Islamic Republic, asserting that the trial of this protesting singer was severely 'unjust.' The letter specifies that Tomaaj Salehi was tortured during his detention and continuously beaten.