Press Release: All Party Group Calls for Honorary Canadian Citizenship for Detained Russian Dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza

On June 1, 2023, Senator Omidvar hosted a press conference with Irwin Cotler and the Co-Chairs of the All-Party Caucus for Freedom for Vladimir Kara-Murza. Watch:

Ottawa – June 1st, 2023 – An all-party group of parliamentarians is moving forward in securing honorary citizenship for Russian democratic opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza. In partnership with the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR), where Kara-Murza serves as a Senior Fellow, a motion will be put forward in the Senate, and an appeal was made for official Canadian Government support.

Kara-Murza is a leading voice of democracy and human rights in Russia. He was sentenced on April 17, 2023 to a 25-year prison sentence on politically-motivated charges of treason for his fearless opposition of Russia’s criminal invasion of Ukraine. A regular presence in Canadian Parliament, he was a central figure in Canada’s adoption of Magnitsky laws. For this, he has faced two assassination attempts, which he barely survived.

Vladimir Kara-Murza has been one of the most courageous and committed champions of democracy and human rights in Russia, speaking out on behalf of the over 24,000 people arbitrarily detained by Putin’s regime, until he himself was arbitrarily detained.

By awarding Vladimir Kara-Murza with honorary citizenship, Canada would honour his bravery and pursuit of global justice, which serve as an inspiration to all Canadians and the world. It would provide Mr. Kara-Murza with lifesaving protective cover and offer hope to Russian prisoners of conscience opposing Putin’s illegal war and dictatorship, demonstrating that Canada stands united with them and recognizes their sacrifice.

Canadians from across the country have joined in solidarity with Mr. Kara-Murza and are calling for the Government to grant him honorary citizenship. This coalition includes former statespeople and cabinet ministers from all parties, former Supreme Court Justices,
academics, artists, and other eminent Canadian public figures.

Said RWCHR Founder and Chair Honorable Irwin Cotler, “Canada has been a global leader against Putin’s criminal invasion of Ukraine and in challenging Mr. Kara-Murza’s unjust persecution and prosecution, the harshest ever imposed on a political prisoner in Putin’s
Russia. Bestowing honorary citizenship on Vladimir Kara-Murza would underscore this leadership and testify to Canada’s unwavering support for democracy and human rights.”