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

III 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 mur- derous response. Whereas Iran began experiencing severe political unrest fol- lowing 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 air- liner 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:44 Jan 14, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR469.IS SR469 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 469 IS 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 in- clude 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 ap- proximately 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, stat- ing 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 bru- tality of the IRGC under @khameneilir’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 watch- ing’’; Whereas the United States Government supports the rights of all people to peaceably assemble and allow for sub- stantive discourse, and it is deeply troubling that a gov- VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:44 Jan 14, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR469.IS SR469 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 469 IS ernment 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 na- tions support the people of Iran as they protest a govern- ment that for far too long has ignored the needs of its citizens: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) stands with the people of Iran, hopeful for 2 change, as they protest their corrupt and oppressive 3 government; 4 (2) condemns the lethal crackdown by the Ira- 5 nian regime on the peaceful protestors; 6 (3) calls on all peaceful and law abiding nations 7 to support the legitimate protests by the Iranian 8 people; and 9 (4) demands that the Iranian leadership be held 10 accountable for their murderous actions against 11 their own citizens who want nothing less than to be 12 represented by a fair and just government. 13 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:44 Jan 14, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR469.IS SR469 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS