Tell the Government of Canada: Do Not Reopen the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Without Justice, Accountability, and Meaningful Change

Petition to the Government of Canada

The Government of Canada is reportedly considering restoring diplomatic engagement with the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the possible reopening of Canada's embassy in Tehran.

We respectfully urge the Government not to reopen diplomatic relations or diplomatic missions with the Islamic Republic of Iran unless and until there is clear, independently verifiable, and sustained progress in human rights, accountability, national security, and respect for international law.

This is not a question of whether Canadians deserve effective consular services—they do. It is a question of whether Canada should normalize diplomatic relations with a government that continues to face serious allegations of human rights abuses, suppressing and killing protesters, executing political prisoners, transnational repression, arbitrary detention of foreign nationals and dual citizens, and support for terrorism. 

Canada closed its embassy in Tehran in 2012 because of profound concerns relating to international security, terrorism, and the safety of Canadian personnel. Since then, Canada has designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code, imposed extensive sanctions on Iranian officials and organizations, and repeatedly condemned the Iranian government's human rights record.

Many of the concerns that led Canada to suspend diplomatic relations remain unresolved.

The families of the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 continue to seek truth, justice, accountability, and full reparations. Serious concerns also persist regarding foreign interference, transnational repression, and threats directed against dissidents, journalists, activists, and members of the Iranian-Canadian community.

Canada has consistently presented itself as a defender of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Restoring diplomatic relations without meaningful change risks sending the wrong message—not only to the regime in Iran, but also to victims of persecution, political prisoners, families seeking justice, and Canadians who expect their government to stand firmly for its principles.

Diplomatic relations are not simply administrative arrangements. They carry political significance. Reopening embassies may be interpreted internationally as a signal that relations are returning to normal. Until there is meaningful accountability and demonstrable change, such a signal would be premature and inconsistent with Canada's longstanding foreign policy principles.

We recognize the importance of consular services for Canadians abroad. However, practical consular considerations should not outweigh Canada's responsibility to protect national security, defend human rights, and uphold international justice.

We therefore call upon the Government of Canada to:

• Refrain from restoring diplomatic relations with or reopening diplomatic missions involving the Islamic Republic of Iran until there is clear, measurable, independently verifiable, and sustained progress in human rights, accountability, and respect for international law.
• Continue prioritizing justice and accountability for the victims and families of Flight PS752.
• Maintain and strengthen measures to protect Canadians and Iranian-Canadians from foreign interference, intimidation, surveillance, and transnational repression.
• Continue enforcing sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for terrorism, serious human rights violations, and transnational repression.
• Consult meaningfully with the families of Flight PS752 victims, Iranian-Canadian community organizations, human rights experts, and national security professionals before making any decision to restore diplomatic relations.
• Canada's foreign policy should remain guided by justice, accountability, democracy, human rights, national security, and the rule of law.

We respectfully ask all Canadians who believe in these principles to sign this petition and urge the Government of Canada to place justice, security, and human rights ahead of political expediency.

No diplomatic normalization without justice. No reopening without accountability.