Ellison Applauds Obama Administration Sanctions on Iranian Government for Human Rights Abuses

Press Release

Congressman Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis) released the following statement regarding President Obama's Executive Order to impose targeted human rights sanctions on Iran:

I commend President Obama for ordering human rights sanctions on Iran. Last year, I introduced the Stand With Iranian People Act, which called for smart, targeted sanctions on Iran's worst human rights abusers and individuals or companies that provide censorship or surveillance technology to the Iranian government. I am pleased that the Obama Administration used this legislation as the framework for their Executive Order.

The Iranian people need our support in their struggle for basic human and civil rights. Just this week, Iranian-Canadian blogger Hossein Derakhshan was sentenced to over 19 years in prison for criticizing the Iranian government. This is unacceptable and the United States must lead by shining light on these atrocious human rights abuses.

President Obama's Executive Order is an important step in that direction. I encourage the Obama Administration to work with the international community to address Iran's human rights violations. As President Obama said, "For those who aspire to have their voices heard, to participate in a democracy that recognizes their human dignity, we will always stand with them."

On Wednesday, September 29, President Obama issued an Executive Order to apply a mandate in the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, which was signed into law on July 1, 2010. The Executive Order calls for sanctions on eight Iranian officials who are deemed responsible for committing some of Iran's worst human rights abuses.

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