III

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 50

Expressing the sense of Congress concerning the continuous repression of

freedom of expression and assembly, and of individual human rights,

in Iran, as exemplified by the recent repression of the democratic movement of Iran.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

AUGUST 4, 1999

Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. LOTT, Mr. HELMS, Mr.

GRAHAM, Mr. MACK, Mr. WELLSTONE, and Mr. WYDEN) submitted the

following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on

Foreign Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress concerning the continuous

repression of freedom of expression and assembly, and

of individual human rights, in Iran, as exemplified by

the recent repression of the democratic movement of

Iran.

Whereas freedom of expression and assembly, individual

human rights, and pursuit of democratic ideals have been

systematically repressed by the government of Iran;

Whereas in recent months several members of the press and

other individuals who peacefully criticized the policies of

the Islamic Republic of Iran were assassinated by ele-
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•SCON 50 IS

ments that are now known to have belonged to the Iranian government’s security forces;

Whereas this continuous repression of freedom has been once

more exemplified by the vicious and unjustifiable assault

by the government of Iran and its vigilantes on students

who marched peacefully and within the law on July 8,

1999, to protest, on the grounds of democracy, freedom

of the press, and individual and civil rights, the closure

of a reformist newspaper, Salaam;

Whereas the Iranian government forces and vigilantes killed,

wounded, and incarcerated students and destroyed their

dormitories, rooms, and belongings;

Whereas the Iranian government now has accused falsely and

unjustifiably a number of students and other seekers of

democracy and human rights of high crimes, theoretically

punishable by death under Iranian law; and

Whereas freedom of expression and assembly are fundamental human rights which are recognized as such under

the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives

2 concurring),

3 SECTION 1. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE RE4 PRESSION OF THE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT

5 OF IRAN.

6 (a) CONDEMNATION.—Congress hereby condemns the

7 repressive actions taken by the Iranian government

8 against the democratic movement of Iran.
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•SCON 50 IS

1 (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con2 gress that—

3 (1) the Iranian government should respect the

4 fundamental principles contained in the Universal

5 Declaration of Human Rights and, thereby, to cease

6 its repression of peaceful dissent and to release

7 unharmed the student leaders and the other pro de8 mocracy activists the government continues to de9 tain;

10 (2) the President of the United States should

11 give clear voice to—

12 (A) the abhorrence of the American people

13 for the violence used against the Iranian stu14 dents and pro-democracy activists; and

15 (B) the solidarity of the United States

16 with the values and objectives that the students

17 and activists have espoused;

18 (3) the European allies of the United States,

19 who maintain political and economic relations with

20 Iran, should convey their own concerns and objec21 tions to the Iranian authorities;

22 (4) the Secretary of State should urge the Sec23 retary General of the United Nations to exercise his

24 influence with the Iranian government to secure the

25 release of the student leaders and other pro-democ-
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•SCON 50 IS

1 racy activists who are now being detained and whose

2 lives are threatened;

3 (5) the Secretary of State should urge the

4 United Nations High Commissioner for Human

5 Rights to convey her concern for the safety of the

6 Iranian student leaders and other pro-democracy ac7 tivists to the Iranian government and should assist

8 in securing their prompt release; and

9 (6) the United States delegate to the United

10 Nations Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimi11 nation and Protection of Minorities, at its upcoming

12 meeting, should introduce a resolution calling for the

13 release of the Iranian student leaders and other pro14 democracy activists and the termination of repres15 sive actions against the nonviolent and democratic

16 student movement of Iran.

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