“Iran must immediately end the use of excessive and lethal force by its security forces including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij against protestors. Too many lives – over 40 to date – have already been lost.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has joined the Foreign Ministers of the European Union and Australia in issuing a statement condemning the Iranian regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for killing protesters. The joint statement can be read below:
“We commend the bravery of the Iranian people as they stand up for their dignity and their fundamental right to peaceful protest.
“We strongly condemn the killing of protestors, the use of violence, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation tactics by the Iranian regime against its own people.
“Iran must immediately end the use of excessive and lethal force by its security forces including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij against protestors. Too many lives – over 40 to date – have already been lost.
“The Iranian regime has the responsibility to protect its own population and must allow for the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal.”
The joint statement comes amid growing reports of brutal violence being inflicted upon protesters by the Iranian regime. According to a report from Time Magazine, a Tehran doctor says hospitals in the city have recorded 217 deaths of protestors, most due to “live ammunition”:
“The doctor said authorities removed corpses from the hospital on Friday. Most of the dead were young people, he said, including several killed outside a northern Tehran police station when security forces sprayed machine gun fire at protesters, who died “on the spot.” Activists reported at least 30 people were shot in the incident.
Human rights groups on Friday reported much lower death tolls than the physician, though the discrepancy might be explained by differing reporting standards. The D.C.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency, which tallies only victims who have been identified, reported at least 63 deaths since the start of the protests, including 49 civilians.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney also issued a statement late Friday evening, as condemnation of the regime grows:
“The reports of violence, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation tactics by the Iranian regime against its own people are profoundly concerning. Canada strongly condemns the killing of protesters, and urges Iran to allow for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal.”
The reports of violence, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation tactics by the Iranian regime against its own people are profoundly concerning. Canada strongly condemns the killing of protesters, and urges Iran to allow for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of…
The regime has cut off internet access in much of the country, making it increasingly difficult for information to emerge. Let us hope that the courageous Iranian People can finally escape the shackles of the regime and achieve the freedom they so richly deserve.
Spencer Fernando
Image – YouTube
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