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 pro-
tection 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;
•HCON 249 IH
Whereas in 1993 an Islamic religious organization, the Fif-
teenth Khordad Foundation, raised the bounty for suc-
cessfully carrying out the death sentence against Salman
Rushdie to $2,000,000 plus expenses;
Whereas the death sentence against Salman Rushdie contin-
ues 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 com-
mitment of the Iranian Government on the protection of
basic human rights and jeopardizes efforts to improve re-
lations between the United States and Iran: Now, there-
fore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) condemns the death sentence issued against
Salman Rushdie;
(2) calls for the immediate withdrawal of the
death sentence against Salman Rushdie as well as
any reward for carrying out the death sentence;
(3) calls upon the President to—
(A) request that the United Nations Secu-
rity Council condemn Iran for issuing the edict
against Salman Rushdie, and
•HCON 249 IH
(B) call upon the Government of Iran to
respect international principles of human rights
and lift the sentence on Salman Rushdie;
(4) calls upon the President to inform the Gov-
ernment of Iran that—
(A) the House of Representatives has
adopted this resolution,
(B) the Government of Iran will be held
liable in case an attempt is made on Salman
Rushdie’s life, and
(C) the Government of Iran should make
all attempts to prevent the spread of propa-
ganda promoting Salman Rushdie’s assassina-
tion;
(5) commends those people of all nations who
have firmly stood for freedom of expression despite
threats and intimidation; and
(6) reaffirms the commitment of the Congress
to the promotion and protection of the fundamental
right of freedom of expression, and reaffirms its
support for basic human rights in the world
community.
Æ