Canada’s government has expanded its restrictions on Iranian officials entering the country, widening a policy that now affects tens of thousands of individuals connected to the Islamic Republic.

Under Canada’s new regulations, any senior Iranian official who has served since June 23, 2003 will now be barred from entering the country. The new cutoff date holds symbolic importance, marking the day Zahra Kazemi, an Iranian-Canadian photojournalist, was detained by Iranian authorities in Tehran. Kazemi tragically died in custody after enduring torture and sexual assault.

“We’re making it clear that those responsible for terrorism, human rights abuses, and atrocities have no place in our country. Canada remains committed to upholding human rights and pursuing justice, both domestically and globally,” said Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

After sustained pressure from Iranian-Canadians and opposition parties, the Canadian government officially designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in June as a terrorist organization under its Criminal Code. The IRGC has long been accused of human rights violations, including suppressing protests and persecuting dissidents.

Ironically, Canada’s announcement on Sunday coincides with the anniversary of the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, whose killing in 2022 at the hands of Iran’s morality police triggered mass demonstrations. At the time, over 550 protesters were killed by state security forces, and thousands more were arrested in the brutal IRGC crackdowns that followed.

In response to Amini’s killing, Canada labeled the Iranian government as a human rights violator in late 2022. It revoked 82 visas and declared 15 individuals inadmissible, with two senior officials facing deportation. Though exact figures have not been released by the Border Services Agency, Sunday’s expanded ban is expected to affect many more Iranians.