Uniting Behind Human Rights

Last month, Canada’s Parliament displayed rare unity. Iran Accountability Week, which was co-sponsored by MPs James Bezan (Conservative), Irwin Cotler (Liberal) and Paul Dewar (NDP), sought to highlight the threat emanating from Iran’s military-nuclear program, terrorist sponsorship, incitement to genocide, and human rights violations. Members of all parties conveyed their concerns about the Iranian regime.

Canada’s response to Iran’s illicit nuclear conduct has been notable. Notwithstanding the absence of secondary sanctions (meaning that non-Canadian persons are free to do business with Iran without penalty), the sanctions are considered fairly comprehensive. Imports from and exports to Iran are prohibited, with limited exemptions.

Yet David Albright, a physicist who founded the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) in Washington, D.C., recently released a report that notes “the widespread suspicion that Iran exploits Canada as a source of sanctioned goods.” Albright further asserts that “Canada's export control efforts and laws against sanctioned countries such as Iran are rudimentarily enforced at best.”

Even if the government addresses these serious claims immediately, it is increasingly possible that international nuclear-related sanctions against Iran will crumble as a result of the Obama administration’s attempts to reach a deal – any deal – with Tehran.

Given Iran’s progress in rehabilitating its economy under the shield of nuclear talks, it is imperative that its status as a preeminent violator of human rights not fall victim to this process.  The Iranian regime is surprisingly sensitive to criticism about its domestic repression, and the desire to be reintegrated into the international community could make Tehran particularly vulnerable at this time.

Ahmed Shaheed, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, maintains that an international spotlight “can act as a boon to those seeking positive change and a spur for transforming words into action”. He recommends that every state “keep urging that steps be taken to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights.”

From a Canadian political perspective , the Iranian human rights file is one of those rare causes  where principle trumps partisanship. All federal parties take umbrage at a regime that has the highest per capita rate of executions; imprisons more journalists and bloggers than any other country; targets religious and ethnic minorities; criminalizes fundamental freedoms of speech and association; and locks up opposition leaders and human rights defenders.

Canada should therefore consider imposing sanctions on the Iranian regime for its domestic repression. One option is to designate specific individuals or entities as human rights abusers under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA).  SEMA has already been used to penalize the governments of Syria, Zimbabwe, and Burma for their human rights abuses. The Iranian regime’s violations are no less serious, and meet the criteria for usage of the legislation.

Targeted individuals could include the Supreme Leader of Iran; the president of Iran; key officials within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or even the entire entity; as well as leaders of the Basij, the Ministry of Intelligence and Security, and others. The new restrictions could be similar to those prescribed by existing nuclear sanctions under SEMA, or be amended as needed.

Opponents claim that with a nuclear deal in the works, it is not the right time to challenge the Iranian regime on its human rights record. But the two are in fact connected. Iran’s nuclear program would be more effectively monitored in a freer and more transparent environment. Furthermore, the linkage is not without precedent. Western negotiators successfully linked arms control agreements with the Soviet Union to demands for Moscow’s adherence to human rights under the 1975 Helsinki Accords.

Ottawa should take a lead role in urging a similar arrangement regarding Iran. Canadian parliamentarians have shown themselves capable of uniting behind a common message of compassion for the Iranian people. The sentiments expressed by MPs during Iran Accountability Week must now be translated into concrete action.

Sheryl Saperia is Director of Policy for Canada at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a think tank focused on national security and foreign policy.