Title: A resolution supporting the people of Iran as they engage in legitimate protests, and condemning the Iranian regime for its murderous response.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution condemns the violence by the Iranian government against protesting Iranian citizens and demands that Iranian leadership be held accountable for its actions against these protestors. Further, it affirms that the Senate stands with the people of Iran and calls on all peaceful and law-abiding nations to support the protests by the Iranian people.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 469 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 469

 Supporting the people of Iran as they engage in legitimate protests, 
     and condemning the Iranian regime for its murderous response.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 14, 2020

  Mr. Graham (for himself, Ms. McSally, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Rubio, Ms. 
 Ernst, Mr. Cruz, and Mr. Romney) submitted the following resolution; 
        which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the people of Iran as they engage in legitimate protests, 
     and condemning the Iranian regime for its murderous response.

Whereas Iran began experiencing severe political unrest following the increase 
        of fuel prices in November 2019;
Whereas reports state that the November 2019 protests were the deadliest period 
        of political unrest since the Islamic Revolution occurred in 1979, 
        resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Iranian citizens;
Whereas, spurred by the shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner by the Iranian 
        military and the Government of Iran's subsequent denial, thousands of 
        Iranian protesters, undeterred by water cannons, tear gas, and the 
        reported use of live ammunition, continue their legitimate protest 
        against a corrupt regime, hoping that their efforts will result in a 
        brighter future for all Iranians, not just the elite;
Whereas, on January 10, 2020, during a press briefing at the White House 
        concerning new tough sanctions on Iran, Secretary Pompeo stated, ``These 
        sanctions targets include the Secretary of the Supreme National Council 
        and the Commander of the Basij Forces; that's the regime's brute squad, 
        which has, in the last few months, killed approximately 1,500 Iranians 
        who were simply demanding freedom.'';
Whereas, on January 11, 2020, Iran's only Olympic medalist, Kimia Alizadeh, 
        announced her defection from Iran, stating that she was ``one of the 
        millions of oppressed women in Iran'' and that she had defected due to 
        ``hypocrisy, lies, injustice, and flattery'' of the Iranian regime;
Whereas, on January 11, 2020, Secretary Pompeo tweeted, ``The voice of the 
        Iranian people is clear. They are fed up with the regime's lies, 
        corruption, ineptitude, and brutality of the IRGC under @khamenei_ir's 
        kleptocracy. We stand with the Iranian people who deserve a better 
        future'';
Whereas, on January 12, 2020, in a tweet directed towards Iranian leaders, 
        President Trump stated, ``Thousands have already been killed or 
        imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA 
        is watching'';
Whereas the United States Government supports the rights of all people to 
        peaceably assemble and allow for substantive discourse, and it is deeply 
        troubling that a government would ignore the concerns of its citizens as 
        the Government of Iran has continually done; and
Whereas, now more than ever, it is imperative that all nations support the 
        people of Iran as they protest a government that for far too long has 
        ignored the needs of its citizens: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) stands with the people of Iran, hopeful for change, as 
        they protest their corrupt and oppressive government;
            (2) condemns the lethal crackdown by the Iranian regime on 
        the peaceful protestors;
            (3) calls on all peaceful and law abiding nations to 
        support the legitimate protests by the Iranian people; and
            (4) demands that the Iranian leadership be held accountable 
        for their murderous actions against their own citizens who want 
        nothing less than to be represented by a fair and just 
        government.
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