Iran Allegedly Plotted to Assassinate Canadian Human Rights Activist Irwin Cotler

In a shocking revelation, it has been reported that Iran allegedly plotted to assassinate prominent Canadian human rights lawyer and former justice minister Irwin Cotler. According to The Globe and Mail newspaper, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) informed Cotler in October that he faced an immediate threat from Iranian agents within a 48-hour window. This plot was foiled by Canadian law enforcement, though the identities of the suspects remain unclear.

Cotler, who has long been an outspoken critic of the Iranian regime, has been under constant protection by the RCMP for over a year. His security measures include bulletproof vehicles, armed officers, and round-the-clock surveillance. This protection was ramped up following the October 7, 2023 attacks, as Cotler’s outspoken stance against Hamas, which is backed by Iran, made him a high-profile target for the regime.

In addition to the RCMP's physical protection, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has warned Cotler that he is a primary target for Iranian agents due to his vocal criticisms of Iran's human rights record, its support for terrorism, and its funding of militant groups like Hamas.

Iran’s Global Threats and Crackdown on Dissidents

This incident sheds light on the growing threats posed by Iran to its international critics. Cotler has long been a target due to his criticism of Iran’s government and its funding of groups like Hamas. However, Cotler is not the only dissident facing persecution.

In a related development, PEN America, a U.S.-based free speech watchdog, has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to intervene in the case of imprisoned Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi. Mohammadi, who is serving a 12-year sentence in Tehran’s Evin prison, has been denied essential medical care for serious health issues. PEN America has urged the UN to press Iran to release her on humanitarian grounds.

In another sign of the mounting oppression in Iran, journalist and political activist Kianoosh Sanjari committed suicide to protest the regime's persecution of political activists. Sanjari had been repeatedly arrested by Iranian authorities and was reportedly under intense pressure from the government. His death, following an ultimatum to release other activists, has further highlighted the brutal treatment of dissidents in Iran.

Conclusion

The foiled assassination plot against Irwin Cotler, along with the ongoing struggles of other human rights activists like Narges Mohammadi and Kianoosh Sanjari, underscores the increasing repression and international reach of Iran's regime. It also highlights the vulnerability of those who speak out against authoritarian regimes, and the lengths to which governments like Iran will go to silence dissent.