Hatch and Bipartisan Senators Introduce Continued Support for the Iranian People Act of 2018

Press Release

Today Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced a bill calling for the United States and its allies to continue their support for the Iranian protesters who have been fighting for freedom and prosperity in their home country. This proposal seeks to hold the Iranian government accountable for the nearly 20 individuals who have been killed and 4,500 individuals who have been incarcerated since the protests began, 490 of whom remain in prison. The legislation, introduced with Senators Cornyn, Baldwin, and Lankford, calls on the United States to continue issuing statements in support of the Iranian people and to work with foreign partners to monitor and respond to the Iranian regime's treatment of protesters. Furthermore, it requires the State Department to work with other government agencies and communications companies to build an archive chronicling the evolution of the protests since December 28, 2017, and to devise a strategy to protect and promote the basic rights of Iranian citizens.

"The situation facing the Iranian people remains difficult, and the lack of an international response has been disturbing,"Hatch said. "Young people and students who have grown up without the freedom of expression and with no hope for financial stability are protesting their government's oppressive tactics and woeful negligence of their welfare. It is unconscionable that the world stands idly by while the Iranian government unlawfully detains thousands and seizes the communications of millions more. This legislation calls on the United States government to lead an international effort with other nations and technology companies to respond to the needs of the Iranian people and to chart a path to protect their freedoms and basic human rights."

"The United States must not retreat from its responsibility to lead the international community in protecting human rights and condemning oppressive regimes around the world. In Iran, this means supporting the democratic aspirations of those Iranian protestors who--in pursuit of their universal freedoms--braved violence and harsh retribution at the hands of their own government," said Baldwin. "I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation because we must respond to the Iranian regime's continued violation of its citizens' human rights, including by developing effective strategies to limit Tehran's tools of repression."

"The United States must take a leadership role in advancing human rights, freedom, and dignity," said Cornyn. "Our bill supports the Iranian protestors and helps shine a light on the brutal nature of this repressive clerical regime."

"It is imperative that our government, in addition to our partners abroad and all who seek freedom and human rights, continue to expose and condemn the abusive Iranian regime," said Lankford. "This bill is a signal of solidarity with the people of Iran who desire basic freedoms and a responsive central government. As Iran continues to sponsor and funnel money into terrorism, rather than the basic welfare of its people, the United States should oppose the ambitions of the regime leading the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Statements of Support

David Shedd, former Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency:

"As much of the world stands idly by, I applaud Senator Hatch and his co-sponsors for speaking up for the Iranian people. This Act sends an unequivocal message not only to the Iranian people longing for freedom and a commitment to stand alongside of them but is a statement to the rest of the world that we stand in opposition to the Supreme Leader's abuse of power and his adventurism abroad."

Elliott Abrams, Council on Foreign Relations, author of Realism and Democracy: American Foreign Policy after the Arab Spring:

"Sen. Hatch's legislation goes to the heart of the Islamic republic's repression of the Iranian people and their desire for change. The events of 2017 --when once again Iranians rose up to demand freedom--are fresh in Iran and hundreds remain in prison because of their participation. This bill would show Iranians that we are on their side against that bloody regime-- and would help them gain the freedom that may someday allow Iran and the United States to rebuild the friendship we once enjoyed."

Continued Support for the Iranian People Act of 2018:

The United States will continue to condemn the Iranian government's violation of human rights. The United States will also continue to support the people of Iran in their fight for freedom and work with international partners to monitor and respond to the protests in Iran.

Archive: The State Department, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, will work with social media and telecommunications companies, internet service providers, and expert public stakeholders, as appropriate, to develop a strategy to prevent the Government of Iran from shutting down internet access and blocking access to social media applications.

Strategy: The State Department, in consultation with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, will work with relevant social media and telecommunications companies and internet service providers to develop a strategy to prevent the Government of Iran from shutting down internet access and blocking access to social media applications.

Report: The Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an unclassified report reflecting the archive and the strategy described above.
Modification of Annual Human Rights Report.

As part of the first Annual Country Report on Human Rights after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with other appropriate federal agencies, shall include an unclassified report documenting the actions of the Iranian government, the Iranian Revolutionary Court, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and their proxies in response to the protests that began on December 28, 2017.

The report would contain: An appendix detailing the circumstances of the incarcerations undertaken by the Government of Iran during this period and the treatment of prisoners.

An appendix detailing the sources and mechanisms used by the Iranian government, the IRGC, and its proxies to fund its actions in response to the protests.

Briefing: The Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury shall brief, in an unclassified and classified format, if necessary, the appropriate congressional committees on the information required by the report described above.

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