A Canadian citizen has died in Iran while in the custody of Iranian authorities, Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed on Thursday, raising fresh concerns over human rights violations by the Iranian regime.
In a post shared on social media, Anand said the Canadian government had been informed of the death but noted that details surrounding how or when the individual died have not been disclosed by Iranian authorities.
“Peaceful protests by the Iranian people — asking that their voices be heard in the face of the Iranian regime’s repression and ongoing human rights violations — has led the regime to flagrantly disregard human life,” Anand said in her statement.
While the foreign minister did not identify the individual or specify the circumstances of the death, her remarks strongly criticised Iran’s handling of dissent and treatment of protesters. The statement underscores growing international concern over Iran’s response to peaceful demonstrations and its broader human rights record.
Canada has been one of the most vocal critics of Tehran, frequently condemning Iran for the use of force against protesters, arbitrary detentions and deaths in custody. The latest incident is likely to further strain already tense relations between the two countries.
Ottawa is expected to seek clarification and accountability from Iranian authorities, as calls mount for transparency regarding the treatment of foreign nationals detained in Iran.