IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 549 
Expressing support for all Iranian citizens who struggle for freedom, human 
rights, civil liberties, and the protection of the rule of law. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 16, 2009 
Mr. PENCE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for all Iranian citizens who struggle for 
freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and the protection 
of the rule of law. 
Whereas the United States supports the right of the citizens 
of Iran to have free and independent elections for the se-
lection of their political leaders; 
Whereas article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights states that ‘‘(1) Everyone has the right to take 
part in the government of his country, directly or through 
freely chosen representatives; (2) Everyone has the right 
of equal access to public service in his country; (3) The 
will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of 
government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and 
genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal 
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•HRES 549 IH 
suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent 
free voting procedures’’; 
Whereas, according to the State Department’s Country Re-
ports on Human Rights Practices for 2008, Iran’s ‘‘poor 
human rights record worsened, and it continued to com-
mit numerous serious abuses . . . the government se-
verely limited citizens’ right to change their government 
peacefully through free and fair elections . . . authorities 
held political prisoners and intensified a crackdown 
against women’s rights reformers, ethnic minority rights 
activists, student activists, and religious minorities’’; 
Whereas Iran’s system of government violates numerous 
international norms and principles of democratic govern-
ance; 
Whereas, on June 12, 2009, Iran engaged in the process of 
selecting that country’s new political leader; 
Whereas the ensuing announcement by Iranian authorities of 
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s ‘‘overwhelming victory’’ has 
sent Iranians into the streets since June 12, 2009, and 
has prompted unprecedented criticism of Iran’s ruling 
leaders; 
Whereas in the streets of Tehran and other major cities, riot 
police, members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, and 
Basij militias are cracking down on demonstrators who 
were protesting the results; 
Whereas the government has cut Internet connections and 
cellphone service and jammed foreign satellite TV and 
radio broadcasts; 
Whereas most foreign journalists in Iran to cover the June 
12, 2009, selection process were reportedly expelled after 
the voting ended; 
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•HRES 549 IH 
Whereas news websites were reportedly blocked by Iranian 
authorities and the Iranian Government has reportedly 
arrested opposition political figures and journalists; 
Whereas the Iranian Government outlawed any protest fol-
lowing two days of unrest, with the Interior Ministry 
warning that ‘‘any disrupter of public security would be 
dealt with according to the law’’; and 
Whereas the Government of Iran, pro-government militias, 
and affiliated entities have attacked demonstrators, caus-
ing multiple injuries and fatalities: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses its support for all Iranian citizens 
who struggle for freedom, human rights, civil lib-
erties, and the protection of the rule of law; 
(2) condemns the ongoing violence against dem-
onstrators by the Government of Iran, pro-govern-
ment militias, and affiliated entities against the peo-
ple of Iran, which has escalated since the June 12, 
2009, process of selecting Iran’s next political lead-
er; and 
(3) affirms the universality of individual rights 
and the importance of democratic and fair elections. 
Æ 
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