My letter to Justine Trudeau on recent brutalities and avoidable "incidents" in Iran

On February first, 2020, I met with Arif Virani, my MP, to share my concern about the Islamic Republic of Iran cover-up and denial of the brutal suppression of October-November 2019 uprising in Iran and the passenger plane crash in Tehran on 7th of January 2020 by IRGC.
I asked Mr Virani to submit my letter to the Prime minister of Canada, Justine Trudeau. In this letter, I elaborate on my concerns and my requests.
Following is my letter to Justine Trudeau:

Date: February 1^st, 2020

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau,

Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Fax: 613-947-0310

Subject:

Through Investigation of the recent suppression and plane crash in Tehran; the Islamic Republic of Iran's gross and systematic human rights violations; dangerous tension in the middle east; the rights and safety of Iranian-Canadians and Iranian Citizens living/studying in Canada

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

I am tired, exhausted and my heart is deeply injured especially after the Islamic Republic of Iran brutally killed hundreds of young Iranians in the October-November 2019 uprising all around the country and killed 176 passengers, 147 of them Iranian and 57 of them Iranian-Canadians, of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (PS752) in a tragic and avoidable "accident" on January 8^th, 2020.

As an Iranian-Canadian who lost 7 members of his families at the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran and, in the last 35 years, has worked for truth and justice in Iran, I appreciate your passionate and responsible reaction and action regarding the tragic events of Flight 752 in Tehran.

There is a very long history of denial and cover-up by the Islamic Republic of Iran and I urge you to put more diplomatic pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran to agree with a thorough and complete investigation in collaboration with the international community, especially Canada, to these recent tragic incidents. 

Dear Mr. Trudeau,

In this difficult situation, I would like to highlight three important points as outlined below:

1- I appreciate your government attention to the dangerous and worsening situation of human rights in Iran and your support for the victims of the state and state sponsored suppressions, killings and terrorism. It is very important that the international community shows their solidarity and support for Iranian through the United Nations instruments available in human rights council and general assembly.

I urge your government to increase the pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran to force them to thoroughly implement all its human rights obligations.

2- In recent years the tensions in the Middle East have increased significantly. Irresponsible and criminal acts of local and global powers in the region including the United State of America, Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran through its elite Quds forces and proxy militias and allied politicians across the region led by Qaseem Suleimani - in my opinion a criminal who has the blood of many peoples including hundreds of thousands of Syrians on his hands - who was illegally killed by the United State of America forces in Iraq on January 3^rd, 2020.  

However, the Canadian government and Canadians as a peace-loving nation, can play a very vital role in this volatile situation in the region. We must be a champion of human rights, peace, stability and prosperity for the people of Middle East and be critical of irresponsible behavior on the part of all actors in the Middle East including the United State of America, Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to name few.

3- The recent incidents proves again that there are many different dangers for the more than 300 000 Iranians (Iranian-Canadians, permanent residents, and those that came to Canada with a student visa) who live in Canada coast to coast when they want return home to visit their families and friends. We all have families and relatives in Iran and our relatives visit us. But there are few important issues which increase the already risky situation in Iran as outlined below:

a)  As of September 2012, there are no diplomatic relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Canada. Canadian consular services are provided through other Canadian diplomatic missions in other countries in the Middle East. Therefore, our families must travel to Turkey, the Emirates or other countries to get a Canadian visa, which is less safe, painful and costly.

b)    In addition, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not have an interest section and does not provide consular and passport services in Canada and we, Iranians livings in Canada, must travel to Washington DC for any required services. But, beside it being time consuming and costly, with the existing administration in the US, it has become much more difficult for those born in Iran to cross the border. In this situation it is almost impossible for permanent residents and those living in Canada with a student visa to access the US.

c)     There are no direct flights between any Canadian city and Tehran, one or two stop flights which are less safe and are a nightmare especially for older travelers, including our parents.

I know re-establishing diplomatic relations with Islamic Republic of Iran is difficult and could send the wrong signal to the Tehran, and considering the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not care about the wellbeing and safety of its citizens, I am asking the Canadian government to reach an agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide consular and passport services in Toronto/Ottawa, Vancouver and Tehran and, after IKAO confirms that Iran's airspace is safe for passenger planes, Air Canada, as a very safe airline, should establish direct flights between Toronto and Tehran and between Vancouver and Tehran.

With respect,

Jafar Behkish, P.Eng

Principal Engineer