Statement on 2nd anniversary of the death of Mahsa Jina Amini

MP Jenny Kwan Statement on 2nd anniversary of the death of Mahsa Jina Amini

Mahsa Jina Amini, a young Kurdish Iranian woman, should be enjoying her life, the love of her family and friends, the return to her studies that September brings. Instead, her liberty and life were cruelly stolen on September 16, 2022 at the age of 22.

In her memory, as the world observes the 2nd anniversary of Mahsa Jina Amini’s horrific murder, I reaffirm my support for the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.

Millions of women in Iran and Afghanistan still face gender apartheid, restrictive laws and brutal acts of repression and violence, even death. They are targeted and persecuted for demanding their freedom, justice and enjoyment of their basic human rights and dignity.

We must call out and stand against gender-based violence, discrimination and oppression wherever it happens. I stand with the courageous people of Iran in their fight for full equality and human rights.

I also renew the NDP’s calls on the federal government to support the rights of women in Iran, in Afghanistan, and around the world. The federal government must employ every tool at its disposal, including sanctions and coordinated diplomacy with the global community, to ensure an end to the abuse of gender apartheid and gender-based discrimination.

Latest posts

City TV NEWS: Rally outside Vancouver college protests sudden termination of key English program

Dozens of students and instructors gathered at Vancouver Community College (VCC) Tuesday to protest the unexpected shutdown of the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program.

LINC, which has helped thousands of immigrants learn English, secure jobs, and work toward citizenship, is set to be terminated at the end of March due to federal funding cuts.

The move has left over 800 students without a clear path forward and more than 30 instructors without jobs.

“We found out just before winter break, and this was the first opportunity to get people together to raise spirits, because people have been really down.” said Frank Cosco, president of the VCC Faculty Association.

Toronto Star NEWS: ‘An ordeal that doesn’t end’: Lost Canadians’ citizenship at risk with Parliament suspended

If Ottawa lets the deadline lapse and the two-generation cut-off is thus voided, affected lost Canadians could just come reclaim their citizenship. If the court cuts the government some slack and grants another extension in light of the circumstances, the uncertainty will continue.

“During that extension period, we could very well be in an election, in which case, no bills could be passed,” said MP Jenny Kwan, immigration critic of the opposition NDP, and a staunch supporter of the bill.

Media Statement: In Response to the Hong Kong Government’s Issuance of a Wanted List for Overseas Pro-Democracy Activists

I call on the Canadian government to take urgent and decisive action to:

1. Strongly condemn the Hong Kong government’s NSL and the targeting of overseas activists, including Canadian citizens and residents, and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Hong Kong.

2. Impose targeted sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations and the erosion of Hong Kong’s freedoms.

3. Stop according any special rights or diplomatic status to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade offices in Canada.

4. Expedite the processing of PR application for Hong Kongers fleeing political persecution and to automatically renew their work and study permit in the meantime.