Bipartisan Legislation Imposing Targeted Sanctions Against Human Rights Abuses in Iran

Bipartisan Legislation Imposing Targeted Sanctions

Against Human Rights Abuses in Iran

The legislation – cosponsored  by:

 Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Jon Kyl(R-AZ),

Evan Bayh(D-IN) Susan Collins (R-ME) Robert Casey (D-PA) Lindsey Graham(R-SC), Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) Sam Brownback(R-KS) Ted Kaufman (D-De), David Vitter(R- LA).

Requires the President to draw-up and periodically update a list of names of Iranians who have perpetuated human rights abuses against their fellow Iranian Citizen since the June 12^th, 2009, presidential election. Individuals on this list- which will be made publicly available- will then be subject to targeted sanctions, including a visa ban and financial restrictions.  The sanctions regime will expire when the President can certify to congress that Iran has taken tangible steps to end human rights abuses, including the release of all political prisoners.

“The rulers of Iran have no desires to meet their International responsibilities and every desire to use all the tools of violence and repression at their disposal to crash the peaceful aspirations of Iran’s Citizens “said John McCain “The United States must lead an International effort to support the human rights of the Iranian people and to put that effort at the center of our policy toward Iran. Under this bill, Iranian human rights abuses would be completely cut off from the global reach of  the United States financial system, and would send powerful signal to every country, company, and bank in the world that they should think twice about doing business with the oppressors of the Iranian people “

Just as the Iranian government is violating its responsibilities under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, it is likewise in flagrant breach of multiple International agreements it has signed the require it to respect the human rights of its own Citizens” said Senator Lieberman “As the Iranian people risk their lives to demand the justice and freedom they deserve in the face of this lawless and oppressive regime, they should know that America is on their side”

“ Our country is at its strongest and its best when we ally ourselves with freedom” said Senator Bayh “ when we stand on the side of freedom, we send a beacon of hope to those across the world and a message to radicalized Islamic youth that there is a better way than the despotism in Tehran that only retains its grips on power by imprisoning, beating and killing its own civilians. That is a contrast that we will win”

“ Sanctioning those responsible for human rights violations in Iran is an essential element of the pressure track that must be urgently pursued” said Senator Casey “ This important bill will send a strong message that our dispute is not with the Iranian people but with those in power who seek to repress them”

“ As Americans, it is our duty to send a strong signal that human rights violations will not be able to use the benefits of International recognition”  said Senator Gillibrand a’ The International community is rightfully alarmed watching the violence used against peaceful Iranian protestors. It is time for us in the congress , to take a strong stance against the abuses of human rights by Iran’s regime and begin denying visas and access to our financial system”    

The people taking to the streets in Iran are some of the most courageous in the world, and congress will continue to reiterate its support for their right to have their voices heard” said Senator Kaufman “we will not sit idly by as the government of Iran continues to deny its people essential freedom and human rights and we will put Iran or any government which aims to silence its people – or notice, that its behavior is unacceptable to the United States”

The bi-partisan resolution passed on Thursday night February 11^th,2010  by unanimous consent after a day of peaceful street demonstration in Iran were repressed by the government authorities and Basiji militia.

 “I hope the human rights council will take this opportunity to expose the violations of human rights that we have seen in Iran, especially over the past year” said Senator Casey

“In addition to the brutal treatment of democracy activists this regime has crushed public demonstrations, censored the internet, imprisoned more journalists than any other country, and executed minors.  This United Nation’s review could not come at a better time to call upon member states to take their responsibilities seriously”

The resolution called upon the United Nation’s Human Rights council to provide a full and accurate accounting during a review of Iran’s Human rights record in Geneva on Monday.