Review of Several Resolutions in the U.S. Congress Regarding 'Human Rights Violations' in Iran

On Wednesday morning, June 21, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee will discuss and vote on resolutions related to Iran. The Senate resolution, initially proposed last December by Robert Menendez, the Democratic chair of this committee, was reintroduced by him with the support of Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn last January. The text of this resolution simultaneously praises and affirms the courage and determination of the women and men of Iran in the current nationwide protests, which are at risk while defending their fundamental rights and security to express free dissent against human rights violations by the Islamic Republic government. This resolution also condemns the beating and killing of Iranian protesters, including children, by the government, demanding transparent accountability for all cases of killing protesters by the security forces of the Islamic Republic. Ultimately, this resolution encourages the Biden administration to continue its ongoing efforts in response to the protests, including sanctions against the Islamic Republic's security forces. This resolution is in the initial legislative stage and will be discussed and voted on at the committee level before being referred to the House or Senate. The resolutions discussed in the House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting include two items. Resolution 3033, proposed by Representative Michelle Steel, a Republican, was introduced to Congress on April 28 this year and has so far received support from 19 Republicans and 10 Democratic representatives. This resolution calls for the repeal of the sunset provision of the 1996 U.S. sanctions law against Iran and the renewal of its continuation. The committee's resolution number 492 includes condemnation of the harassment of the Baha'i minority and the ongoing violations of international human rights covenants by the Iranian government. During the nationwide protests that erupted after the killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini in police custody in late September 2022, at least 500 people were killed by government forces. The Islamic Republic has also executed several protesters in connection with various charges. Shahla Arasteh began her journalistic activities in the U.S. in 2000 with the Atlas Research Foundation and then joined Voice of America in 2007. The representative of the Baha'is in France stated that for the past 40 years, Baha'is in Iran have been denied the right to live. Images from the funeral of Heyman Mostafaei, a political prisoner executed in Sanandaj prison, support Narges Mohammadi's campaign 'Our Story is One.' Canada has sanctioned seven judges of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Iran for human rights violations. Reuters reports that Iran's oil exports have reached their highest level in five years. Heyman Mostafaei was executed following 'forced confession' in Sanandaj. The grave of an executed protester was set on fire; the cousin of Majid Kazemi stated, 'It will come back to haunt their own robes.'