A bipartisan resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 13 calls on the United States to take steps to protect Iranian protesters from “further lethal violence.”
The measure, H.R. 993, seeks to recognize and express “support for the Iranian people protesting for a free and democratic Iran” and “condemns the brutality of the Islamic Republic, which uses violent military force to suppress civilian protesters.” It has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“Right now, millions of people across Iran are bravely taking to the streets to demand freedom and an end to the barbaric regime,” Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), lead sponsor of the resolution, stated. “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,” she added.
The resolution 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.”
It also affirms the Iranian people’s right to determine their country’s future “through free and fair elections,” urges restoring internet access and civilian lines of communication and presses the U.S. government “to work in coordination with its allies to consider and implement concrete measures to deter further lethal violence against protesters.”
Iran’s protesters are “taking a stand for freedom, self-determination and for a life not marred by oppression, coercion and silence,” Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), an original co-sponsor of the resolution, stated. “To the Iranian people: The Congress of the United States stands alongside you in your pursuit of a better and brighter future.”
