Canada outlines ‘first steps’ on long road to justice for UIA Flight PS752 victims
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The Iranian government’s admission that its own military forces shot down flight PS752 was “an important step,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday, but it was also a “first step.” There are still, the prime minister explained, “many more steps” to be taken — that “must” be taken.
This is the prudent response. Though there can be no doubt now that Iranian actions directly caused the deaths of 176 people, including 57 Canadians, the tasks of mourning for those lost and achieving justice on their behalf are far from complete.
The weight of responsibility will have to be borne for months and years to come.
For Iran, Trudeau laid out his expectations. A full and complete investigation “must” be conducted. “Full clarity” is needed. Families “deserve” closure. It is “absolutely necessary” that Canada participate in the investigation and Canadian officials “expect” the full co-operation of Iranian authorities. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had responded with a “commitment to collaborate.”
The prime minister has been careful since Tuesday to not get ahead of himself or the facts, and again on Saturday he was unwilling to ruminate publicly on possible consequences if Iran is somehow less than fully co-operative and forthcoming.
“I think there are going to be many conversations and reflections on consequences over the coming days and weeks,” he said. “Right now, we’re focusing on what the families most need and that is answers and access, and that is where all of our efforts are focused.”
