Rep. Ansari Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Expressing Support for Protesters Demanding a Free and Democratic Iran

WASHINGTON - Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) led a bipartisan group in introducing a resolution commending the bravery and resolve of the Iranian people in their fight for a free and democratic Iran and opposing the brutality of the Islamic Republic, which uses violent military force to suppress civilian protesters. Ansari is the daughter of Iranian immigrants and the first Iranian American Democrat elected to Congress.

The resolution also urges immediate expansion of unrestricted internet access and civilian lines of communication across Iran, which have been severed by the Iranian regime, and demands the regime cease its threats, intimidation, and violence toward peaceful protesters.

The bipartisan measure is cosponsored by Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jim Himes (D-CT), Stephanie Bice (R-OH), Mike Carey (R-OH), and Brad Schneider (D-IL).

"Right now, millions of people across Iran are bravely taking to the streets to demand freedom and an end to the barbaric regime," said Ansari. "These protests are not just about economic opportunity, but about human rights and dignity. The Iranian people are demanding an end to the Islamic Republic. With a unified, bipartisan voice, I am leading Congress in condemning the regime's brutality towards protesters and standing with the people of Iran in their fight for freedom and democracy."

Read text of the Resolution HERE.

"The Iranian people have made clear that they will no longer live under the shadow of a despotic, malignant regime," said Rep. Foxx. "They're taking a stand for freedom, self-determination, and for a life not marred by oppression, coercion, and silence. To the Iranian people: the Congress of the United States stands alongside you in your pursuit of a better and brighter future."

"The Iranian people deserve international support for their protest for a free and democratic Iran," said Rep. Ross. "They have shown extraordinary bravery, risking their lives to demand human rights, equality, and freedom from the oppression of the Islamic Republic. The people of Iran have the right to determine their future."

"The people of Iran are calling for the most basic promise of a free society-the right to speak openly, to gather without fear, and to choose their own future," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "When a regime answers those peaceful calls with prisons, bullets, and internet blackouts, the free world is called to choose. History will record our choices. This resolution places the United States and Congress on the side of those fighting for liberty, and against a regime that survives only by terror and repression. Peace is not by silence, but by standing strong for freedom."

"The protestors in the streets of Iran have shown enormous courage in their stand against the brutal and repressive Islamic Republic regime," said Rep. Himes. "I am proud to join my colleagues in support of the Iranian people and their fight for self-determination after years of censorship and tyranny."

"After 47 years of living under an oppressive regime, the Iranian people are taking to the streets in mass, risking their lives for one thing: freedom," said Rep. Bice. "This resolution honors their brave efforts and recognizes that the United States Congress stands with the Iranian people. The people of Iran deserve the right to dignity, democracy, and self-determination."

"I am proud to join in leading this bipartisan resolution that affirms Congress's support for the Iranian people," said Rep. Schneider. "The good people of Iran have been oppressed by the theocratic regime for nearly fifty years, and the United States must stand firmly with them as they rise up to reject and remove the tyrannical, murderous government that has too long abused them."

"The oppressive regime in Iran has been willing to summarily murder its own people in the streets and sow chaos around the world for far too long," said. Rep. Carey. "The protestors taking to the streets are displaying enormous courage in their efforts to free themselves from this tyrannical government and its evil ambitions. May God bless the Iranian people in their efforts to rid themselves of oppression and guide them in their quest for a better future."

Text of resolution HERE and below.

RESOLUTION TEXT

Whereas for nearly five decades, the people of Iran have endured brutal repression under the Islamic Republic, a regime that denies basic human rights, silences dissidents, and responds to peaceful protest with violence;

Whereas once again, the people of Iran are courageously taking to the streets to demand economic opportunity, human rights, dignity, and freedom;

Whereas the Islamic Republic has responded to the ongoing protests with brutality by killing protestors, arresting thousands, and restricting internet access and telephone lines;

Whereas the people of Iran are in part protesting the Islamic regime's economic mismanagement, corruption, internal suppression, and unjust executions;

Whereas access to free expression, open information, and uncensored communication are fundamental human rights;

Whereas the inspiring 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests demanded an end to the Islamic Republic and its violence, including against Iranian women and ethnic minorities;

Whereas the barbaric so-called Morality Police and other arms of state suppression have a lengthy history of repressing the Iranian people's fundamental freedoms, including the freedom to assemble, the freedom of religion, women's rights, and LGBTQ rights;

Whereas the Islamic regime has engaged in systematic efforts to intimidate, harass, detain, and harm political dissidents, activists, and journalists both within Iran and beyond its borders;

Whereas the people of Iran deserve the right to dignity, democracy, and self-determination and to be free from the brutality of the Islamic Republic;

Whereas on January 26, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 7, commending the bravery, courage, and resolve of the Iranian people;

Resolved, That the House of Representatives:

1. Commends the bravery and resolve of the Iranian people in their fight for a free and democratic Iran;
2. Strongly condemns the brutality of the Islamic Republic which uses violent military force to suppress civilian protesters;
3. Demands that the Iranian regime cease its threats, intimidation, and violence against peaceful protesters; release all political prisoners; and allow unhindered medical assistance to demonstrators wounded by the regime's violent repression;
4. Recognizes the right of the Iranian people to freely determine, through free and fair elections, the nature of their political regime;
5. Urges immediate expansion of unrestricted internet access and civilian lines of communication across Iran; and
6. Implores the Government of the United States to work in coordination with its allies to consider and implement concrete measures to deter further lethal violence against protesters.

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