IV

103D CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 249

Condemning the death sentence issued against British author Salman Rushdie

by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Iran and calling for its immediate

repudiation.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 12, 1994

Mr. GINGRICH (for himself and Mr. LANTOS) submitted the following

concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Condemning the death sentence issued against British author

Salman Rushdie by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

in Iran and calling for its immediate repudiation.

Whereas the House of Representatives went on record in

March 1989 condemning the death sentence on Salman

Rushdie and others associated with the publication and

distribution of his book and declaring the commitment of

the United States Government to the promotion and protection of the right to the freedom of expression without

fear and intimidation;

Whereas the Iranian Parliament in June 1992 confirmed the

death sentence against Salman Rushdie and called on all

Muslims and Hizbollah organizations to carry out the

death sentence;
2

•HCON 249 IH

Whereas in 1993 an Islamic religious organization, the Fifteenth Khordad Foundation, raised the bounty for successfully carrying out the death sentence against Salman

Rushdie to $2,000,000 plus expenses;

Whereas the death sentence against Salman Rushdie continues to be a flagrant violation of freedom of expression

and is contrary to international rules of behavior, the

Charter of the United Nations, and the International

Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;

Whereas respect for and tolerance of differing religious views

is a fundamental principle upon which the United States

is based; and

Whereas this action against Salman Rushdie tests the commitment of the Iranian Government on the protection of

basic human rights and jeopardizes efforts to improve relations between the United States and Iran: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) condemns the death sentence issued against

4 Salman Rushdie;

5 (2) calls for the immediate withdrawal of the

6 death sentence against Salman Rushdie as well as

7 any reward for carrying out the death sentence;

8 (3) calls upon the President to—

9 (A) request that the United Nations Secu10 rity Council condemn Iran for issuing the edict

11 against Salman Rushdie, and
3

•HCON 249 IH

1 (B) call upon the Government of Iran to

2 respect international principles of human rights

3 and lift the sentence on Salman Rushdie;

4 (4) calls upon the President to inform the Gov5 ernment of Iran that—

6 (A) the House of Representatives has

7 adopted this resolution,

8 (B) the Government of Iran will be held

9 liable in case an attempt is made on Salman

10 Rushdie’s life, and

11 (C) the Government of Iran should make

12 all attempts to prevent the spread of propa13 ganda promoting Salman Rushdie’s assassina14 tion;

15 (5) commends those people of all nations who

16 have firmly stood for freedom of expression despite

17 threats and intimidation; and

18 (6) reaffirms the commitment of the Congress

19 to the promotion and protection of the fundamental

20 right of freedom of expression, and reaffirms its

21 support for basic human rights in the world

22 community.

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