House Unites in Support for Resolution Expressing Support for Iranian Protesters

Resolution commends ‘bravery, courage, and resolve of Iranians risking their safety to speak out against the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses’

Adam Kredo • January 10, 2023 1:40 pm

The Republican-controlled House is rallying around a resolution that expresses solidarity and support for Iranian protesters who are risking their lives to demonstrate against the hardline regime.

The House is poised for Tuesday’s first legislative effort to pass the resolution. This commends “bravery, courage, and resolve of the women and men of Iran demonstrating in more than 133 cities and risking their safety to speak out against the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses,” According to a copy the Measure Obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.

Rep. Claudia Tenney (R.N.Y.), is the leader of the resolution, which has the initial backing by 34 members, 22 Democrats included. Sources from Congress who spoke to the Free Beacon According to the resolution, it was officially introduced on Tuesday. It is expected to pass in coming weeks with broad bipartisan support. This shows Congress that it is paying attention to the protests in Iran, and supports the efforts of the anti-regime dissidents who are trying to overthrow the hardline government.

“While the Iranian regime continues to violently crack down on peaceful protests and slaughter its own people, Congress must take a clear and unequivocal stance against this brutality,” Tenney stated that he told the Free Beacon In a statement “The United States must support and stand alongside the brave Iranians calling for basic human rights and demanding justice for the murder of Mahsa Amini and countless other innocent Iranians.” Amini is the 22-year-old woman who sparked the protest movement last year after she was murdered by Iran’s morality policy for improperly wearing her head covering.

The measure is a signal the new Congress wants to track and identify human rights abuses carried out by the Iranian regime so it can pursue further sanctions and other measures in response to the Iranian government’s violent crackdown. The measure codifies public information about the number of Iranians who were imprisoned or killed in protests. It also urges the Biden administration to work with international allies. “to impose human rights sanctions on officials and entities that are responsible for the repression of current protests and involved in violating the human rights of the Iranian people.” It is also necessary to “transparent accountability for all killings of protesters by Iranian security forces.”

It also contains provisions that could be used to help the United States increase its efforts to improve internet access for Iranians. Iranian leaders tried to close down the internet as protesters continue to protest. They also blocked messaging apps that were helping them coordinate. Congress and the U.S. State Department can both help. “provide support for VPNs and other alternatives that can be used to bypass attempts by authoritarian governments to censor internet access during times of protest,” According to the measurement.

The resolution calls for the Biden administration “immediately impose, under existing authorities, additional human rights sanctions on officials and entities responsible for the repression of the current protests.”

The Iranian government responded to the protests by kidnapping and killing scores of demonstrators as they enter their fourth month. Protests in Iran’s 130 universities and 133 cities have witnessed unprecedented demonstrations. “burning hijabs, cutting their hair, and dancing in front of Iranian security forces,” According to the resolution of Congress.

According to the resolution, Iranian security force arrested more than 18,000 protesters, and killed over 450 of them, including 58 children. “The number of injuries and deaths is likely higher but unobtainable due to internet blackouts,” It notes.

“We must do all we can to support the Iranian people’s right to self-determination, including by holding accountable those responsible for the violent suppression of peaceful protesters,” Rep. Michael McCaul  (R., Texas), incoming chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement. “The Iranian people must be able to exercise their basic human rights, and we absolutely cannot cut any deals that take pressure off this murderous regime.”