Reactions to Canada's Designation of IRGC as a Terrorist Organization; Widespread Calls for Similar Action from Australia and Europe

The Canadian government's designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization has been met with positive reactions from political, civil, and human rights activists, as well as prominent figures opposing the Islamic Republic. Many from Europe and Australia have called for similar actions. Following the announcement on Wednesday, the Association of Families of Victims of Flight PS752 thanked the Canadian government, all political parties, activists, and individuals who contributed to this achievement. The association also expressed gratitude to the 'brave people of Iran who have stood against this repressive organization and continuously supported the families of the victims,' stating, 'We neither forget nor forgive the killers of Iran's children.' Hamed Esmaeilioun, a member of the association who lost his wife and daughter in the Ukrainian plane crash caused by the IRGC, released a video message stating, 'The IRGC received a name in Canada that it deserved; a fearsome terrorist organization.' Nazanin Afshin-Jam, a former Miss Canada and human rights activist, wrote on X, 'This has been a long and hard battle for many members of the Iranian-Canadian community who have asked the government to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization. First, we managed to pressure them to list the Quds Force, and now the entire IRGC is on that list.' Afshin-Jam was one of those who testified before the Canadian House of Commons Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee regarding the IRGC. Prince Reza Pahlavi welcomed Canada's action in recognizing the IRGC as a terrorist organization and urged Europe to follow suit. He wrote, 'This is an important and long-term step towards holding the criminal regime in Iran accountable and advancing the democratic movement of the Iranian people.' Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a former Australian-British prisoner in Iran, made a similar request to the Australian government, stating, 'Australia has no more excuses. If the US and Canada can find the right legal pathways to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, we can too.' Moore-Gilbert also noted that thousands of Iranian Australians who are victims of IRGC terrorism are calling for this action. She highlighted the impact of ongoing activist efforts, stating, 'They said it couldn't be done. For years, the Iranian-Canadian community has been tirelessly pursuing the listing of the IRGC, and their efforts have failed due to various legal, diplomatic, and political obstacles, as we are experiencing in Australia. If Canada can do it, we can too.' Alireza Akhundi, a member of the Swedish Parliament, emphasized the importance of continuing efforts, writing, 'If you keep fighting, you will eventually succeed. The Canadian government has finally decided to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Thank you to everyone in Canada who fought for this. The struggle for freedom continues.' Masih Alinejad, a political activist, also stated on X, 'Better late than never. This is a correct step in the global fight against terrorism. I urge the other G7 countries to follow the US and Canada and designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization.' Ghazaleh Sharmard, daughter of Jamshid Sharmard, a dual Iranian-German citizen imprisoned in Iran and sentenced to death, called for effective implementation of this action, writing, 'As soon as Canada takes action and pursues the [designation of the IRGC as terrorist], we will congratulate them. We have repeatedly witnessed the circus of Western governments that dangle carrots and give us sticks.' Ghazaleh Sharmard further wrote, 'Iranians abroad have united to support Canadian lawmakers in this path; now it is time to support activists in the European Union and Australia.' Among the reactions from officials, Israel Katz, Israel's Foreign Minister, welcomed Canada's listing of the IRGC as a terrorist organization on social media, adding, 'The Islamic Republic of Iran and its terrorist infrastructure must be held accountable for the crimes they have committed and for spreading terrorism in the Middle East and around the world.' Alongside this action by the Canadian government, the country's Foreign Minister emphasized that the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization increases the risk of arbitrary detention of Canadians in Iran and warned Canadians about traveling to Iran. Melanie Joly wrote, 'We strongly advise Canadians not to travel to Iran and urge those currently there to return immediately.' An official announcement was also published on the Canadian government's website and social media accounts regarding this matter.