U.S. House Resolution Condemns Repression and Supports Rights of Iranian People

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution that, while supporting the right of Iranian citizens to freedom of expression, “condemns the Iranian government for suppressing legitimate protests and other pressures.”

House Resolution 752 was introduced in December of last year by Theodore Deutch, the Democratic chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Joe Wilson, a Republican lawmaker.

The resolution passed without objection.

At the beginning of the text presented to the House, reference is made to protests in November in Iran that “quickly spread to at least 21 cities.” The November protests are described as one of the most important anti-government demonstrations since the 2009 protests known as the “Green Movement.”

During the November protests, which began following a sudden surge in gasoline prices, not only was the internet cut off across the country, but widespread reports of suppression and shooting of unarmed, protesting civilians were published.

The Islamic Republic has not yet released statistics on the deaths, and has detained some family members of those who wanted to hold mourning ceremonies for their lost loved ones.

According to various estimates, between at least 300 to—according to Reuters—1,500 people were killed in the suppression of November protests. Tehran has rejected these figures.

Military commanders of the Islamic Republic described the November protests using phrases such as “all-out global war,” “urban warfare,” and “coalition of devils.”

Congress in its resolution references the detention of at least seven thousand people and the killing of at least 208 people, and states that reports indicate Iranian officials have refused to return the bodies of many of the killed to their families and have transferred them to unknown locations.

The resolution also references some statements by Islamic Republic officials, including remarks by the leader of the Islamic Republic and the interior minister of the Islamic Republic, in which they state they will no longer show restraint or hold back in dealing with protesters.

Previously, Mahmoud Sadeghi, a representative of Tehran in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, stated that in a meeting with the interior minister, he asked why so much violence had occurred or why shots were fired at protesters’ heads, and Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli responded, “Well, shots at the feet also happened.”

This resolution references other events following the formation and suppression of November protests, and while recalling the international commitments of the Islamic Republic, also states that this government has “a long history” of violating fundamental rights, violence against protesters and opponents.

Provisions of the House Resolution

In the U.S. House resolution, it is stated that representatives stand alongside the people of Iran, and “support their peaceful and legitimate protests against a corrupt and oppressive government.”

The House also “condemns serious human rights violations by the government… prominent corruption and destabilizing actions in the foreign sphere.”

The resolution praises statements of support for protesters by the government and key allies; it calls on all countries and democratic institutions to clearly express their support for the Iranian people and their right to live in a free society. The Iranian government is also asked to remain committed to its international obligations.

The House calls on the government to work to convene meetings of the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council; so that while condemning the continued human rights violations by the Iranian government, a mechanism for monitoring these acts of violence by the Security Council is established.

The U.S. government is also encouraged to expedite the issuance of necessary licenses for providing communication technologies in Iran to promote freedom of expression.

Companies are also asked to reject requests from the Iranian government to cut off Iranian people’s access to social networks and other similar platforms.

The House, praising the “rich history and culture of the Iranian nation,” has expressed “full support” for efforts to build fundamental freedoms, which will be the basis for free and open elections and a democratic political system.

The resolution supports the right of opponents to assemble without fear of suppression and violence.

Lawmakers have also asked the U.S. President and Secretary of State to work in cooperation with the international community to make human rights violations a part of all formal and informal, multilateral and bilateral negotiations with Iran.

The Islamic Republic has not yet shown a reaction to this resolution. Tehran, in similar previous cases, has rejected protests and criticism over the human rights situation in Iran, while accusing the United States and other Western countries of interfering in Iran’s internal affairs.

Source: Radio Farda