Canada to Deny Temporary Residency to Ex Iranian Minister

Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced that his country will prevent an Iranian former minister from becoming a temporary resident of Canada for 36 months, citing the Islamic Republic’s human rights record.

Seyed Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi, who served as the minister of health for the Iranian government from 2013 to 2019 under former President Hassan Rouhani, “will be forbidden from returning to and entering Canada as a temporary resident," Miller announced on X, formerly Twitter, on August 28.

Mr. Hashemi, the former Minister of Health of the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be forbidden from returning to and entering Canada as a temporary resident during this period.

— Marc Miller ᐅᑭᒫᐃᐧᐅᓃᐸᐄᐧᐤᐃᔨᐣ (@MarcMillerVM) August 28, 2023

"The decision itself, as communicated to the individual, is tied to Iran’s disregard for human rights. The actions of the Iranian regime are reprehensible, and those who bear responsibility have no place in Canadian society," the minister added.

The decision itself, as communicated to the individual, is tied to Iran’s disregard for human rights. The actions of the Iranian regime are reprehensible, and those who bear responsibility have no place in Canadian society.

— Marc Miller ᐅᑭᒫᐃᐧᐅᓃᐸᐄᐧᐤᐃᔨᐣ (@MarcMillerVM) August 28, 2023

The move comes after images circulated on social media nearly a month ago showing Hashemi and his family in the streets of Montreal. 

Under section 22 of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the immigration minister has the power to deny temporary residency to a foreign national for up to 36 months if it is "justified by public policy considerations."

Canada cut diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2012 and listed the country as a supporter of extremism. 

It has also imposed several rounds of sanctions on the Islamic Republic over its human rights abuses.