The Canadian government has officially listed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization under the Criminal Code. This move aims to combat the IRGC’s terrorist activities, both domestically and internationally.
Background
Kabul 24: The IRGC has been accused of carrying out a global terrorist campaign, including the shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in January 2020, which killed 176 people, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents. The families of the victims have been advocating for the IRGC to be listed as a terrorist organization.
Impact
Listing the IRGC as a terrorist group means that Canadian financial institutions, such as banks and brokerages, are required to freeze the property of the IRGC. It also allows Canadian authorities to charge anyone who financially or materially supports the group. Additionally, banks can freeze assets, and charitable organizations can lose their status if they maintain connections to terrorist groups.
Previous Efforts
The Canadian government had previously designated the IRGC’s overseas arm, the Quds Force, as a terrorist group. However, the IRGC as a whole was not listed until now. The move comes after years of pressure from opposition legislators and the families of the Flight PS752 victims.
International Reactions
The United States listed the IRGC as a terrorist group in April 2019. The move is seen as a significant step in combating terrorism and holding the Iranian regime accountable for its actions.
Conclusion
The listing of the IRGC as a terrorist group is a significant step in Canada’s efforts to combat terrorism. It sends a strong message that Canada will use all tools at its disposal to combat the IRGC’s terrorist activities and holds the Iranian regime accountable for its actions.
