Lawmakers tout bipartisan support for resolution criticizing Iran's government

BY JOHN BOWDEN - 04/27/21 12:11 PM EDT
                                                                          EST

                                       SENATOR BEN CARDIN (D-MD)
                         Senior Member, Foreign Relations Committee
Iranian people have suffered under a regime that has routinely repressed its own people and violated human rights. We have seen the continued attempts to shut down Internet access and the ability of the Iranian citizens to freely and peacefully assemble. The Iranian regime continues to crack down on dissent. It detains human rights defenders and other prisoners of conscience and subjects them to unfair trials, torture and

Violation of Human Rights  IRAN

 

Everything you need to know about human rights in Iran

Every year, Amnesty International evaluates the human rights situation in countries ... Stay up to date and learn about key human rights issues in Iran. ... Reports, briefings, urgent actions and UN submissions. Research. Iran. 15 April 2021

The authorities heavily suppressed the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Security forces used unlawful force to crush protests. The authorities continued to arbitrarily detain hundreds of protesters, dissidents and human rights defenders, and sentenced many to imprisonment and flogging. Women, as well as ethnic and religious minorities, faced entrenched discrimination as well as violence. Enforced disappearances, torture and other ill-treatment were committed with impunity on a widespread and systematic basis. Judicial corporal punishments amounting to torture, including floggings and amputations, were imposed. Fair trial rights were systematically violated. The death penalty was used as a weapon of political repression. Executions More.......

 

U.S. senators push for broader Iran deal, not return to nuclear pact

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Forty-three U.S. senators, many of whom opposed the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, appealed to President Joe Biden on Thursday to work toward an international agreement that addresses issues beyond just Tehran’s nuclear program.

The letter was released as the Democrat Biden’s administration explores ways to restore the nuclear pact that Iran signed with the United States and other world powers, but was abandoned in 2018 by then-President Donald Trump, a Republican who reimposed sanctions.

Iran retaliated by breaching the terms of the accord in a step-by-step response. More.....

Senate Iran Policy Briefing to Address Tehran’s Malign Conduct

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) Foreign Relations Committee - Senate Policy Briefing on Iran 3/17/2021

The senior senator from Maryland then added, “I am working with the Biden Harris administration and my colleagues in the Senate to continue to hold Iran accountable…. we all agree that Iran must never possess a nuclear weapon and Iranian support for human rights violations and terrorism must end.”

Senator Cardin also stressed, “We stand with you to engage legitimate protests against an oppressive corrupt regime. We support your rights to peacefully assemble without fear of persecution and violence. Whether in Iran or elsewhere, you have my commitment. You have America’s commitment.” More....

In first for Europe, Iran envoy sentenced to 20-year prison term over bomb plot

By Clement Rossignol, Robin Emmott

ANTWERP, Belgium (Reuters) - An Iranian diplomat accused of planning to bomb a meeting of an exiled opposition group was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday in the first trial of an Iranian official for suspected terrorism in Europe since Iran’s 1979 revolution.

Assadolah Assadi was found guilty of attempted terrorism after a foiled plot to bomb a rally of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) near Paris in June 2018, Belgian prosecution lawyers and civil parties to the prosecution said.

The third counselor at Iran’s embassy in Vienna, he was arrested in Germany before being transferred to Belgium for trial. French officials said he was running an Iranian state intelligence network and was acting. More.....

Bipartisan H.Res.118 Expresses Support for Iranian People 

 

Expressing support for the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran and condemning violations of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism by the Iranian Government.
Whereas beginning in 2017, and continuing for several months after protests erupted in more than 100 cities, the Iranian regime suppressed such protests with repressive forces that resulted in at least 25 deaths and 4,000 arrests, including decorated wrestling champion Navid Afkari, who was later executed in September 2020 amidst international outrage.

Text H.Res. 118

Cosponsors H.Res. 118

Senators Introduce 'Much Needed' Bill to Address Coronavirus' Racial Disparities

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that the pandemic has hit hardest Native Americans, Black and Latino communities across the country

                        By Sean Neumann

July 22, 2020 06:06 PM
FEBRUARY 09, 2021
CHAIRMAN MENENDEZ ON PRESIDENT BIDEN’S IRAN STRATEGY

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement today in support of President Biden’s recent comments outlining his administration’s Iran strategy:

“I applaud President Biden for saying this weekend that his administration will not offer significant sanctions relief to the Iranians to get them back to the negotiating table and concur that Iran must stop enriching uranium. I support the administration’s efforts to reach a diplomatic solution with Iran to address its nuclear program that is both longer and stronger than previous commitments and address other pressing challenges. In doing so, I believe the administration must work closely with our allies and should not be motivated by artificial deadlines from the Iranians or any external actors.”

Iranian-Americans Fill D.C. with Photos of Tens of Thousands Killed by Regime

WASHINGTON, DC – Iranian-Americans transformed the grassy field in front of the reflecting pool on the west side of the U.S. Capitol this weekend into a stunning exhibit featuring the photographs of thousands of those, including teenagers, among the 120,000 who the Iranian regime has slaughtered since it took power in 1979.

More specifically, the sea of black and white photographs of the dead commemorated the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners and the 2019 killings of more than 1,500 in a student uprising against the dictatorship.

Picture22

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) Message to 2020 Free Iran Summit.

Rep. David Trone (D-MD) Message to 2020 Free Iran Summit.

July 17th, S.n 2020

OIAC Virtual Event

Bipartisan Majority Support for H.Res. 374

 United States Department of State

Country Reports on Terrorism 2019: Iran

     

Iran

Designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 1984, Iran continued its terrorist-related activity in 2019, including support for Hizballah, Palestinian terrorist groups in Gaza, and various terrorist groups in Syria, Iraq, and throughout the Middle East.  Iran used the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) to provide support to terrorist organizations, provide cover for associated covert operations, and create instability in the region.  Iran has acknowledged the involvement of the IRGC-QF in the Iraq and Syria conflicts, and the IRGC-QF is Iran’s primary mechanism for cultivating and supporting terrorists abroad.  In April 2019, the Secretary of State designated the IRGC, including the Qods Force, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).  Iran also used regional proxy forces to provide deniability, in an attempt to shield it from accountability for its aggressive policies. Moor......

Expert Panel to Discuss the Growing Threat

from Iran’s Regime

OIAC Nationwide Virtual Conference Supports

Flyer1-May21,2020

 

SENATE PERSIAN NEW YEAR (NOWRUZ) CELEBRATION SUPPORT FREEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN

Senate policy briefing called for Iranian people’s right to seek a free Iran

 

WASHINGTON, DC – On March 12, 2020, Iranian American communities of Maryland and Texas, members of Organization of the Iranian American Communities (OIAC), held a policy briefing in the U.S. Senate. The event examined the Iranian people’s uprising, prospects for change, and U.S. policy implication. The speakers called on the international community to hold Iranian regime accountable for human rights violations, international terrorism, and its failures to openly work with the international community during the current Corona virus outbreak. More....

 

 

 

Nurooz 1
nurooz 2

Struan Stevenson, UPI, 27 February 2020

Feb. 27 (UPI) — Iran held a general election on Friday following weeks of threats and warnings from the mullahs about the need to vote, so that the theocratic regime could retain some sort of semblance of legitimacy.

In November, over 1,500 mostly young people were shot and killed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps — the regime’s Gestapo — during a nationwide uprising. Over 4,000 people were injured and an estimated 20,000 arrested. The supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered Iranians to vote, telling them that casting their ballot was even more important than attending Friday prayers. MORE......

Rally To Support #IranProtests2020 for a #FreeIran2020
Condemn Rights Abuses in Iran

Date: Saturday, February 8, 2020
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Lafayette Park, in front of the White House

Sponsors:
Iranian American Community of Virginia

Iranian American Community of Maryland

Rally to Support #IranProtests2020--09 (1)

Trump recounts minute-by-minute details of Soleimani strike to donors at Mar-a-Lago

By Kevin Liptak, CNN

Updated 12:19 PM ET, Sat January 18, 2020

(CNN)President Trump recounted minute-by-minute details of the US strike that killed Iran's top military commander during remarks to high-dollar Republican donors at his South Florida estate, according to audio obtained by CNN.

Trump, speaking at a GOP fundraising dinner Friday evening, offered new details about the strike that killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani, which exacerbated tensions in the region and led to an ongoing dispute with Congress over his constitutional ability to wage war. Continue........

Senate Policy Briefing Iran Uprising: A Nation Rises For Freedom

Senate Policy Briefing
Iran Uprising: A Nation Rises for Freedom
Kennedy Caucus Room
December 4, 2019
Message from Senator Ben Cardin from Maryland, the ranking member of subcommittee on Western hemisphere, the transition that transnational crime, civilian security, democracy, human rights and global woman issue, Foreign Relation Committee. This message was read by Jonathan M. Weadon, Foreign Policy Fellow, office of Senator Cardin. More....

Dr. Majid Sadeghpour, Political Director of the Organization of Iranian American Communities

Jan 12, 2020

Communities (OIAC) shares the OIAC view on Iran Protests for a Free Iran, with NBC TV in Los Angeles.More.....

Senate policy briefing called for recognition of the alternative to the Iranian regime

WASHINGTON, DC – On December 4, 2019

 

congressional briefing in the U.S. Senate to discuss the rise of domestic suppression and regional aggression by Tehran.

Iran: 1988 Massacre, Ongoing Human Rights Violations” rally, vigil, and photo exhibition

 

Iran The Untold Story

Welcome to Iran: The Untold Story. Here, we take a close look at Iran’s role in supporting international terrorism, its pursuit of nuclear weapons, its systematic massacring and imprisoning of political opponents, and the ongoing efforts of dissidents, including Iranian-American interest groups, to bring freedom, equality, and lasting change to Iran.Read More…

Iran Freedom March Report

Friday, March 8, 2019

 

JANUARY 09, 2019

Cardin-Boozman Bill Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment Signed into Law

WASHINGTON — The Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment (WEEE) Act, legislation introduced in the Senate by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) that seeks to eliminate global gender-related barriers and empower female entrepreneurs around the world, was signed into law today.

“Investing in women creates a positive cycle of change that can lift women, families, communities and entire countries out of poverty,” said Cardin, ranking member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “I believe in the power of women to change the world, and I am proud that our leadership on this new, bipartisan law will empower women entrepreneurs and sharpen our diplomatic and development tools to better fight global poverty and injustice.”

“Providing women access to tools for economic success supports global prosperity. The WEEE Act empowers women to gain control of their financial futures while simultaneously facilitating improvements in their homes and communities. I’m proud to have led the effort in the Senate to help level the economic playing field for women around the world and I appreciate the tremendous support we received from many in the public and non-profit sectors to help this critical legislation become law,” Boozman said.  more.....

U.S. designates Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as foreign terrorist organization, on Apr 8, 2019 

Bipartisan Senators voice support for Iranian people’s demand for regime change, democracy and freedom in Iran, March 19, 2018

Senate Speech by Senator Jeanne Shaheen at Iranian opposition

Nowruz celebration in U.S. Senate,March 19, 2018

U.N. Ambassador Nikki Hailey on Iran Protests.

JANUARY 02, 2018

Cardin Supports Iranian People in Pursuit of Fundamental Rights

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced a Senate resolution expressing support for the rights of the Iranian people to have their voices heard and condemning the Iranian regime for its long history of human rights abuses. The resolution encourages the U.S. to work to convene emergency sessions at the United Nations to condemn the ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by the government of Iran and establish a mechanism for monitoring such violations. Cosponsors of the resolution include Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) More.....

 

Members of Congress React to Iran Protests

Students attend a Dec. 30, 2017, protest inside Tehran University. This photo was taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran.

As thousands of Iranians staged rallies across the country to protest economic hardship and anger at the country's government...more....

Corker, Cardin Introduce Resolution on Protests in Iran

Resolution Expresses Support for Rights of Iranian People, Condemns Regime for Ongoing Abuses

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced a Senate resolution expressing support for the rights of the Iranian people to have their voices heard and condemning the Iranian regime for its long history of human rights abuses. The resolution encourages the U.S. to work to convene emergency sessions at the United Nations to condemn the ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by the government of Iran and establish a mechanism for monitoring such violations. Cosponsors of the resolution include Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).

The resolution as introduced is available here.

 

The Christmas and New Year 2018 Message of Maryam Rajavi

On the eve of birthday of the holly Jesus Christ, and on the occasion of the upcoming New Year 2018. Maryam Rajavi the president elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran sent a message to all the Christians in Iran and all over the world, the following is the full text of the message:

Fellow Christian compatriots,.more...

 

Cardin Supports Iranian People in Pursuit of Fundamental Rights

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday amid ongoing protests in Iran:more....

Scenes from deadly protests in Iran

Unrest in Iran erupted for a sixth-straight day Tuesday as demonstrators protest the countries economic troubles.

February 21, 2017

Cardin, Schumer, Senate Democrats Introduce Iran Sanctions Extension

WASHINGTON – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD), Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), and 12 other Senate Democrats introduced legislation yesterday to renew the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, which is set to expire at the end of this year. more...

                                February 21, 2017                                                            

OIAC Welcomes Letter By 22 Bipartisan U.S. Senators To President Donald Trump

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2017:

Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC) welcomes the letter by 22 bipartisan U.S. Senators to President Donald Trump, demanding that the Administration hold Iran accountable    more...

 

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