Support the Government of Canada's efforts in sanctioning the regime in Iran

To: The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada

We undersigned support the Government of Canada's efforts in sanctioning the suppressive and brutal regime in Iran.

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A OA6

Dear Prime Minister

As Canadians of Iranian origin who are aware of the events in Iran, we are delighted that the Government of Canada is standing firm with the people of Iran. We are also very encouraged to see that for the first time the rest of the world is now, under the leadership of Canada, citing the killings and beatings that occurred after the disputed presidential election in June 2009 as a reason for the sanctions. We know these sanctions are carefully chosen to target diplomatic constraints, the members and funds of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and their business conglomerates, as well as other Irans government officials deemed responsible for human rights abuses, and are not meant to directly harm people of Iran especially with regards to the basics of living such as food and medicine. We also understand that Irans dysfunctional economic system has its roots not in the sanctions but in thirty years of colossal mismanagement, rampant corruptions and the extreme abuse of power. While no decent Iranian wishes to see his or her compatriots hurt and victimized by economic sanctions, we believe that smart sanctions can help the goals of fostering freedom and democracy in Iran. Furthermore, it is this regime in Iran and this regime alone that has left the world no choice other than imposing sanctions. Unfortunately, confrontation is the only language that the Irans regime understands. We thank you for your solidarity with the victims and with all Iranians who wish for a government that respects their human rights, their dignity, and their freedom.

Moreover, as members of Iranian community, we wish to distance ourselves from proxies and lobbyists of the Iranian regime who are taking the advantage of the democratic system of Canada to try to circumvent and erode Government of Canada's decisions from being effective. Please be assured that the majority of Iranian Canadians fully support all the measures taken to restrict the presence, funding and activities of the persons and entities that are supporting the suppressive forces in Iran. Your Government's efforts in this regard is much appreciated.