‘We’re all actually offended, and we’re attempting to do every thing we will to advertise accountability’
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A whole bunch of Iranian Calgarians gathered exterior Calgary’s Metropolis Corridor on Sunday, recognizing three years for the reason that Iranian army shot down Flight PS752 and rallying in opposition to the nation’s regime.
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The native rally was one in a sequence of gatherings held throughout Canada and all over the world Sunday to commemorate the crash, which killed 176 folks — a toll that included 55 Canadian residents and 30 everlasting residents. 13 Edmontonians and two Calgarians had been among the many victims.
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Outdoors Calgary Metropolis Corridor, the individuals gathered in Iranian flags and carrying indicators with the faces of protesters executed by the Iranian authorities. Protesters led chants of “Human Rights for Iran” and “Regime Chant in Iran.”
An exhibition arrange within the sq. recreated what the PS752 crash website may need appeared like: suitcases strewn on the bottom spilled open, with charred garments, toiletries and kids’s dolls scattered in all places.
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‘We’re all actually offended’
The anniversary is a somber one for the native Iranian group as they not solely take care of grief from the flight but additionally ongoing civil unrest following the dying of Mahsa Amini, a younger Iranian girl who died in police custody after she was arrested for allegedly violating Iran’s legislation. obligatory hijab legislation.
“The temper is considered one of anger and unhappiness, however extra anger,” mentioned Kimia, a rally participant who requested that her final identify not be used due to safety issues for her mother and father, who dwell in Iran.
“We’re all actually offended, and we’re attempting to do every thing we will to push for accountability … I hope (the Iranian authorities) hears that we’re right here, we’re paying consideration and we’re offended.”
Iranian officers shot Ukraine Worldwide Airways flight PS752 out of the air with two surface-to-air missiles shortly after it took off from Tehran on January 8, 2020. In complete, 138 of the passengers had been on their option to Canada through Kiev.
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Calgarians are pushing for accountability
The Affiliation of Households of Flight PS752 Victims organized the cross-country occasions and is looking on the Canadian authorities to take a harder stance in opposition to Iran.
On December 28, Canada joined peer international locations in starting the method of sending the Flight PS752 case to the Worldwide Court docket of Justice. That is an try to carry Iran legally chargeable for taking pictures down the flight and to pressure the nation to compensate households of victims.
Ottawa beforehand waited to start out that course of, with negotiations with Iran on reparations earlier than these talks stalled.
Taking the case to the worldwide court docket is a essential step, however one that ought to have been taken a lot sooner, mentioned Armin Zarringhalam, one native rally organizer.
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“The Iranian regime basically killed 176 harmless lives on that airplane … It was simply so unjust, so merciless, and we have seen their terror for the final 44 years,” Zarringhalam mentioned.
“(Canada) must do extra. They must be extra of a worldwide voice, an enormous worldwide voice, to advocate, to cease the executions, to finish this Islamic regime, to finish this terror and have a free Iran.”
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Hila Yadegar, who was arrested in Qatar throughout the FIFA World Cup in November for protesting in opposition to the Iranian authorities, was additionally in attendance.
Yadegar mentioned she and her husband had been detained for hours and threatened by Qatari police, who mentioned they had been focused for sporting clothes bearing symbols of opposition to the Islamic Republic.
The Calgarian mentioned it is vital to her to make use of her voice to work for change in Iran, whether or not she’s at dwelling or overseas.
“We’re right here to help our folks, Iranian folks, basically ladies who’re combating for primary freedom,” Yadegar mentioned.
– With information from The Canadian Press
jherring@postmedia.com
Twitter: @jasonfherring
