Kazemi was born in Iran but became a naturalized Canadian in the 1990s. In June 2003, she returned to Iran at the age of 54 on a freelance photojournalism assignment. She was arrested while taking photos outside Evin prison. Days later, she was taken to a local hospital where she died.
Canada demanded the body and a full investigation. A limited investigation in Iran came to naught and Canada was not given access to the body. As the months wore on, Canada’s statements on the case slowed and faded.
Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon changed that last week, when he renewed the demand for the repatriation of Kazemi’s remains while discussing the new allegations against former Tehran Prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi.
Mortazavi was accused last week by Majlis investigators of assigning 147 protesters to be held in disgusting conditions at Kahrizak prison despite the fact there was room for them at Evin prison. Mortazavi is the official directly implicated in the mistreatment of Kazemi.
Cannon said, “The search for justice remains firmly on the agenda in Canada’s relations with Iran.”
There have been three shifts in Canadian policy toward Iran as a result of Kazemi’s death. First, Canada withdrew its ambassador and maintains its embassy at a low level. Second, Canada has barred almost all normal diplomatic exchanges, such as visits by officials. Third, it has become the drafter and main sponsor each year of the UN General Assembly resolution critiquing Iran’s human rights compliance.