Ottawa, October 29, 2025 — Canada’s Parliament hosted a cross-party conference titled “Iran at a Crossroads: Geopolitical Shifts and Human Rights Realities,” gathering Members of Parliament, U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli, and representatives of the Iranian-Canadian community.
Focus on Human Rights Abuses in Iran
The conference, organized by Liberal MP Judy Sgro and Conservative MP Michael Cooper, highlighted Iran’s worsening human-rights situation and the need for a democratic alternative to the current regime. MP Cooper cited a surge in executions—over 1,000 in the first nine months of 2025—alongside rising poverty, inflation, and power shortages. He emphasized Canada’s support for opposition leader Maryam Rajavi and her Ten-Point Plan as a roadmap for democratic reform.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our powerful parliamentary briefing on Iran at the Crossroads.
The testimonies shared by victims of the Iranian regimewere deeply moving and a stark reminder of the ongoing persecution faced by countless Iranians today. pic.twitter.com/fRGS21ZXGW— Judy Sgro (@honjudysgro) November 4, 2025
Hunger Strikes and NCRI Documentation
MP Judy Sgro called attention to thehunger strike of 1,500 death-row prisoners as a symbol of extraordinary courage. She praised the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) for providing detailed, verifiable information on human-rights abuses, Iran’s nuclear activities, and regional destabilization, recognized by parliamentarians in 34 parliaments and 137 former world leaders.
The Honourable Judy Sgro @honjudysgro rose today in the Canadian Parliament and denounced the heartbreaking case of Zahra Shahbaz Tabari #Zahra_Tabari :
"who has been sentenced to death by the Iranian regime. Her so-called trial lasted only ten minutes and was conducted via… pic.twitter.com/ASJCuNhR2E— Iran Democratic Association (IDA) Canada 🇨🇦 (@IDA_Canada) November 5, 2025
U.S. Perspective on Iran’s Repression
Senator Robert Torricelli discussed Tehran’s domestic repression, international posture, and Western policy shortcomings. He stressed the historical responsibility of Western governments for supporting the Shah’s dictatorship and highlighted the Iranian Resistance as a global movement committed to democracy, gender equality, and peaceful coexistence. Torricelli also warned against promoting monarchist alternatives, arguing they serve only the current regime.
🇨🇦 Ottawa: An impactful parliamentary briefing chaired by @honjudysgro & @MichaelCooperMP, with guest speaker former Senator @bobtorricelli, titled
“IRAN AT THE CROSSROADS – Geopolitical Shifts & Human Rights Realities,”
reviewed the regime’s fading influence, UN SnapBack… pic.twitter.com/EqW3E5qwU4— Iran Democratic Association (IDA) Canada 🇨🇦 (@IDA_Canada) October 29, 2025
Voices of the Iranian-Canadian Community
Conservative MP Costas Menegakis shared the grief of Canada’s Iranian diaspora, many of whom lost family members under repression. MPs Ron McKinnon, Andrew Lawton, and Mark Dalton expressed support for human rights and accountability, including calls for an international investigation into Iran’s 1988 prison massacre.
Community representatives recounted personal experiences: Mohsen Masouri shared decades of family persecution, while Morad Mansourpour spoke for Iranian youth advocating democracy. Ahmad Hasani recounted his and his brother’s imprisonment under both the Shah and the clerical regime, highlighting the oppression of Iranian youth striving for freedom.
Dear، The Honorable Judy Sgro,
Thank you for all the great work you do. We know how busy you are, yet you never postpone acts of humanity. Special thanks to Dane for his tireless efforts & kind work.
As you so eloquently said:“These executions, brutal and relentless as they… pic.twitter.com/t9HJJbfAh9
— Sara Fallah Director of ICWAF. (@shahnazfarzaneh) November 5, 2025
Call for Action and Democratic Change
The conference concluded with footage from recent mass rallies of Iranian expatriates and clips from inside Iran showing resistance activities. Participants collectively called for halting all executions, releasing political prisoners, and supporting the Iranian people’s right to democratic change.
