The House of Commons of Canada unanimously passed a motion on Wednesday calling for the government to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran as a terrorist organization. This action, echoing a similar one taken in 2018, reflects growing pressure on the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take a stronger stance against the IRGC.
The motion, presented in a report by the House of Commons Justice Committee, received overwhelming support with 327 votes in favor and none opposed. However, it is important to note that this vote is not binding on the government, which ultimately decides on such designations.
This renewed push comes amidst increasing international pressure on governments to classify the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Similar to the Trudeau government, European and British authorities face internal debates on the issue.
The Canadian government has so far taken a more cautious approach, implementing limited measures such as considering a “10,000 list” of individuals banned from entering Canada, potentially including those affiliated with the IRGC. However, critics maintain that such measures are insufficient and point to documented cases of individuals with ties to the Iranian government residing in Canada.
The Trudeau government has previously expressed concerns that designating the entire IRGC as a terrorist organization could have unintended consequences, potentially impacting individuals who served in lower ranks and might seek refuge in Canada.
One key distinction sets Canada apart from many other Western nations: Canada severed diplomatic relations with Iran years ago. Unlike the UK, which cites the need to maintain relations for potential dialogue, Canada lacks this specific diplomatic hurdle.
Canadian law defines a terrorist group as one with “reasonable evidence” of participation in, attempts at, or the carrying out of terrorist attacks. The country established its list of terrorist organizations after the September 11th attacks in the United States. Designating a group allows authorities to target individuals associated with it, seize their assets, and potentially launch criminal prosecutions.
The 2018 vote in favor of designating the IRGC followed the tragic downing of Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 by Iranian missiles, which claimed the lives of 176 people. This incident further underscored concerns about the IRGC’s activities.
The call for designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization resonates strongly with Iranian dissidents abroad, particularly in the wake of the recent nationwide protests in Iran.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), commended the Canadian parliament’s action but urged the government to swiftly implement the resolution and formally blacklist the IRGC. She called on other Western nations, including the European Union and its member states, to follow suit and expedite similar designations.
Rajavi further emphasized the need to expel IRGC operatives, intelligence personnel, and members of the Quds Force from Western countries, revoke their passports, and take a more hard-line stance against the Iranian regime. These measures, she argued, align with the aspirations of the Iranian people and freedom fighters.
It’s important to note that the IRGC was designated as a foreign terrorist organization during the former US president Donald Trump administration.
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