Condemning Iran for Human Rights Violations

Floor Speech

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Mr. ELLISON. I thank the gentleman from New York for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I have said time and time again that the Iranian Government must improve the status of human rights in their country. Let's not pretend though that this resolution is taking place at this time outside of any context. There is a context, and the context is that we are closer than we have ever been to reaching a peaceful agreement with Iran on nuclear weapons.

I don't know what is going to happen on November 24, and I suspect the people who do know aren't telling the public just yet, but I do know that we have made substantial progress and that we are close.

The context is important that we should stand with the people of Iran and stand for their human rights. I absolutely believe that that is the right thing to do; therefore, I ask for a ``yes'' vote on this.

I have to ask the question: Is this the most well-timed time for this resolution? I do worry that we could undermine the negotiations, but the four corners of this resolution are right, so I am a ``yes'' vote.

I think today's resolution, which highlights the human rights abuses in Iran, also could be improved if it included words and language about the best way to bring those abuses to an end.

I believe improving human rights in Iran is much more likely if we secure a nuclear agreement. The best way to empower human rights leaders within Iran is to engage, not isolate.

Increased sanctions and the threat of war hurts human rights activists because it allows the hard-liners in Iran to claim that they are under imminent threat and, therefore, there is no time or space or room for human rights. I believe that a nuclear agreement will actually increase the likelihood for human rights advocacy.

I don't want to see us go back to the days when we talked in terms of the ``axis of evil.'' It didn't improve the set freedom and security of Americans or anyone. I liked the fact that we have embarked on the path of diplomacy.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.

Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. ELLISON. President Rouhani has prioritized diplomacy, and I think this is an important opportunity that we should pursue.

In the final analysis, human rights are what the United States should always stand for, and we in this Congress should never not stand for human rights. I am proud that we are clear on human rights in this resolution.

I simply want to admonish and warn us that taking action that could undermine very delicate negotiations may not be the best timing that we have ever pursued and that for the last 30 years--and I hope for the next 30 years--we will always raise the banner of human rights whenever and wherever, but I think we should be sensitive of the reality of the moment that we are in.

Let me just say thank you to the brave souls who stand up for human rights under very difficult conditions in Iran.

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