IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 183 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Broadcasting 

Board of Governors should broadcast and direct Azeri language content 

into the Islamic Republic of Iran and Baloch language content into 

the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 25, 2013 

Mr. ROHRABACHER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 

the Broadcasting Board of Governors should broadcast 

and direct Azeri language content into the Islamic Republic of Iran and Baloch language content into the 

Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of 

Pakistan. 

Whereas the ethnic Azeri and Baloch peoples compose 18 

percent of the population of Iran; 

Whereas the Azeri and Baloch minorities have maintained 

proud and distinctive cultures and identities dating back 

to ancient times; 


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•HRES 183 IH 

Whereas the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio 

Liberty currently broadcast to Iran in the Persian language; 

Whereas the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio 

Liberty currently operate Azeri language services; 

Whereas it is in the national interest of the United States for 

accurate and credible news to reach all the ethnic groups 

in Iran and Pakistan; 

Whereas it is believed the area inhabited by the Baloch people holds a large reserve of oil, natural gas, gold, and 

other minerals and comprises 1,000 miles of strategically 

significant coast line from the Persian Gulf and along the 

Arabian Sea; 

Whereas the Governments of Iran and Pakistan systematically repress human rights, political expression, and civil 

society activists which has been reported by Human 

Rights Watch and Amnesty International; 

Whereas the Government of Pakistan has refused to recognize the legitimate national aspirations of the Balochi 

people and has carried out a campaign of politically motivated murders and followed a policy known as ‘‘Kill and 

Dump’’ where Baloch activists are kidnapped and their 

bodies are later found in public, often mutilated; 

Whereas the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran 

found that the ‘‘Sistan-Balochistan is arguably the most 

underdeveloped region in Iran, with the highest poverty, 

infant and child mortality rates, and lowest life expectancy and literacy rates in the country’’; 

Whereas the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran 


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•HRES 183 IH 

reports that ‘‘Baloch activists have reportedly been subject to arbitrary arrests and torture’’; 

Whereas the Government of Iran prevents the Balochi or 

Azeri languages from being used in formal and public 

places; 

Whereas the Baloch minority in Iran is mostly Sunni Muslim 

and subject to religious persecution by the ruling Shia 

theocracy; 

Whereas all the people of Iran and Pakistan have the right 

of self-determination, to choose their form of government, 

and to elect their leaders; and 

Whereas it is the policy of the United States to oppose aggression and the violation of human rights inherent in 

the subjugation of national groups like the Azeris in Iran 

and Baloch in Iran and Pakistan: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that the Broadcasting Board of Governors 

3 should broadcast and direct Azeri language content into 

4 the Islamic Republic of Iran and Baloch language content 

5 into the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic 

6 of Pakistan. 

Æ 


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