Iran Human Rights Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3870
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2006-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Arms control
Arts, Culture, Religion
Biological warfare
Books
Chemical warfare
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Democracy
Diplomats
Dissenters
Economic assistance
Economics and Public Finance
Europe
European Union
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Free enterprise
Freedom of association
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Government Operations and Politics
Grants-in-aid
Health
Human rights
Immigration
International agencies
International broadcasting
Internet
Iran
Law
Middle East and North Africa
Military intervention
Negotiations
Nongovernmental organizations
Nuclear nonproliferation
Opposition (Political science)
Referendum
Regionalism (International organization)
Religion
Religious liberty
Rule of law
Sanctions (International law)
Science, Technology, Communications
State-sponsored terrorism
Technical assistance
Terrorism
Translating and interpreting
United Nations
United Nations delegations
Video tape recording
Visas
Web sites
Women
Women's rights
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-07
text: 
Iran Human Rights Act of 2006 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) there is a direct relationship between the state of freedom and democracy within Iran and the efforts of the Iranian regime to acquire nuclear weapons and the long-term success of the global war on terror; and (2) it is essential that the issue of human rights violations in Iran should remain a top U.S. foreign policy priority independent of efforts to address the nuclear threat in Iran. 
 
Directs the President to appoint a special envoy for human rights in Iran within the Department of State to coordinate efforts to improve respect for the fundamental human rights of the people of Iran and work with organizations committed to promoting democracy in Iran. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government should explore the possibility of a regional human rights dialogue with Iran; (2) the United Nations has a significant role to play in improving human rights in Iran; and (3) the commitment to human rights and democracy of an Iranian national who has applied for a U.S. entry visa should be considered when determining visa eligibility.
 
Authorizes the President to provide financial and political assistance to eligible foreign and domestic individuals, organizations, and entities that support human rights and the promotion of democracy in Iran and that are opposed to the non-democratic government of Iran. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to Iran should be contingent on substantial human rights progress and transition to democracy; and (2) U.S. humanitarian assistance to any department, agency, or entity of the government of Iran should be delivered, distributed, and monitored according to internationally recognized humanitarian standards, be provided on a needs basis, and beneficiaries should be informed of the assistance's source.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) communicating democratic ideals to the people of Iran is essential to fostering change in that country; and (2) U.S. public broadcasting into Iran has in the past been intentionally undermined by foreign governments. 
 
Sets forth new requirements for Radio Farda and Voice of American Persian Service, including prohibiting the employment of persons by such services who have worked within the previous ten years for the Iranian Information Ministry or any official news agency of the government of Iran, including the Islamic Republic News Agency. 
 
Authorizes the special envoy to award grants to eligible entities for broadcasting programs and activities to promote democratic transition in Iran.
 
Authorizes the President to impose diplomatic and economic sanctions on foreign governments or entities that assist the government of Iran in blocking the free transmission of U.S. government radio and television broadcasts into Iran.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2006-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate