Introduction of the 'Tomaaj Law' Draft in the U.S. Congress Aimed at Combating Human Rights Violations by the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic

A group of lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties introduced a draft law named the 'Tomaaj Law' on Friday to impose targeted sanctions against judges, prosecutors, and investigators of the Revolutionary Courts. Other objectives of the 'Tomaaj Law' include the immediate end to sham trials, deprivation of access to lawyers, forced confessions, torture, and all other common human rights violations in the judiciary of the Islamic Republic, as well as the immediate release of all political prisoners. The draft law refers to the systematic and ongoing restrictions on the ability of Iranian citizens to enjoy their fundamental freedoms without fear of punishment. The Revolutionary Courts, as the judicial authority handling charges related to political prisoners and protesters, according to the 'Tomaaj Law' draft, employ practices such as deprivation of access to lawyers, refusal to disclose the nature of crimes, torture, and sexual violence to obtain confessions, and forced confessions. Another section of the 'Tomaaj Law' refers to the protests following the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini in the custody of the morality police and the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement against 'gender apartheid' in Iran under the Islamic Republic's rule. The violent suppression of protesters, including mass arrests, severe restrictions on internet access, and direct shootings at them, which resulted in the deaths, blindness, and injuries of hundreds, including women and children, are among the issues mentioned in the 'Tomaaj Law' draft. The draft also refers to the establishment of a UN fact-finding committee to address human rights violations in Iran and the refusal of Iranian officials to allow inspectors from this committee to enter Iran. Deceased protesters and imprisoned civil activists such as Majidreza Rahnavard, Habib and Vahid Afkari, Narges Mohammadi, Fatemeh Sepahri, Saman Yasin, Nika Shakeri, and Sarina Ismailzadeh are among those mentioned in the 'Tomaaj Law' draft. The draft also references the arrest of Tomaaj Salehi during protests against the death of Mahsa (Jina), his release on bail, and his subsequent re-arrest and the issuance of a death sentence against this rapper based on fabricated charges such as 'corruption on earth.' Yang Kim, a member of the House of Representatives from California and a main supporter of this legislative proposal, told the Associated Press: 'Tomaaj Salehi has used his platform to give a voice to the voiceless and bravely speak out against the torture, mistreatment, and repression of the Iranian regime against the free will of the Iranian people.' The draft 'Tomaaj Law' prepared by lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties emphasizes the need to continue holding the Iranian government and its institutions accountable, including the judiciary and judges, prosecutors, and inspectors of various branches of the Revolutionary Courts, while referring to U.S. support for the Iranian people's demand for their fundamental rights and the end of 'gender apartheid.' In addition to Yang Kim, David Trone, a Democratic lawmaker from Maryland, Mike Lawler, a Republican lawmaker from New York, and Adam Schiff, a Democratic lawmaker from California, are other prominent supporters of this proposal. The introduction of the 'Tomaaj Law' to the U.S. Congress has elicited reactions. Ye-Won Rai, a member of the German Parliament, in a statement referring to the essence of the proposal said: 'As the political sponsor of Tomaaj Salehi, I support this effort to draw attention to his and others' cases.' She described the 'Tomaaj Law' as 'an important sign for human rights and democracy in Iran' and stated that this law 'could save the lives of innocent people.' Elika Eftekhari, a lawyer and founding member of the 'Alliance for Human Rights and Democracy in Iran,' provided explanations about this proposal in an interview with Voice of America. She stated that, unlike previous sanctions that were imposed only against a few Revolutionary Courts, the 'Tomaaj Law' for the first time sanctions all 70 branches of the Revolutionary Courts across the country. According to Ms. Eftekhari, the U.S. Congress aims to show its support for Tomaaj Salehi and all political prisoners in Iran by introducing this proposal.