Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development

Sous-comité des droits internationaux de la personne du Comité permanent des affaires étrangères et du développement international

For immediate release

Ottawa, May 20, 2022 -

The House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development is appalled to hear the Iranian government declare that it will proceed with the execution of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali on 21 May 2022. A Swedish-Iranian medical doctor and academic, Dr. Djalali was arbitrarily detained in 2016 while in Iran at the invitation of the universities of Tehran and Shiraz. He has been unjustly charged with various trumped-up national security violations and is being held under inhumane conditions that are severally impacting his health. The Subcommittee stands in solidarity with governments and civil society groups around the globe in calling for his immediate and unconditional release.

Dr. Djalali’s impending execution follows in an increasingly destructive pattern by the Iranian government of arresting, imprisoning and prosecuting foreign nationals and dual citizens. The Subcommittee expresses its outrage at the Iranian government’s flagrant disregard for the most basic and fundamental human rights norms. The Subcommittee will continue to advocate for those who suffer egregious human rights violations by the Iranian government and reminds the Islamic Republic that its actions are on display and the international community is taking note. In the coming weeks, the Subcommittee will convene a meeting on the human rights situation in Iran to shed light on the Iranian government’s efforts to crush dissent. The Subcommittee stands with the people or Iran who are fighting every day to defend their rights.