Anniversary of Mahsa; Robert Menendez: The international community owes Iranians 'full support'

Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Saturday, September 16, issued a statement marking the first anniversary of the 'brutal beating and killing of Mahsa Zhina Amini by the Iranian regime,' calling for the international community to hold the Islamic Republic accountable. Senator Menendez spoke about the protests of Iranians 'from Tehran to Mahabad and Isfahan,' stating that Iranian women and men took to the streets in over 133 cities across all provinces to defend their compatriots, their lives, and their freedoms. According to him, despite the deliberate blinding of protesters, the use of 'regime' agents with military-grade ammunition, and the issuance of death sentences, the people of Iran continued to protest day by day, exposing themselves to the dangers of intimidation, violence, imprisonment, and death. This prominent Democratic senator further added that the international community owes it to the people of Iran to never allow the Islamic Republic to escape accountability for the crimes committed during its brutal crackdown. Menendez stated that as the Islamic Republic continues to suppress the brave people of Iran, the international community owes Iranians 'full support.' Jim Risch, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also emphasized his renewed support for the people of Iran on the first anniversary of Mahsa's 'murder.' According to this prominent Republican senator, as the Biden administration releases Iranian funds, further actions must be taken to hold the 'regime' accountable for serious human rights violations and support for terrorism. Claudia Tenney, a Republican member of the House of Representatives, in a statement honoring Mahsa's memory and referencing her lasting impact on Iran and the world, called for support for human rights and human dignity in Iran and globally. Chris Murphy, a Democratic senator, shared a picture of Mahsa, stating that her 'death' inspired a 'movement,' and this weekend 'we pay tribute to all the brave women in Iran fighting for their fundamental human dignity.' Meanwhile, on Friday, Marco Rubio and Alejandro Padilla, respectively Republican and Democratic senators, issued a joint statement on the first anniversary of Mahsa's 'murder' in the custody of the morality police, urging the Senate to pass the 'Mahsa Law.' Additionally, the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations issued separate statements honoring the memory of Mahsa and other victims of the Islamic Republic's crackdown, promising continued support for the people of Iran.