The House passed a resolution Wednesday commending the “bravery, courage, and resolve” of Iranians protesting the human rights abuses of their government.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), condemns the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody in September. The Iranian government is accused of brutally beating Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating the regime’s conservative dress code.
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Her death sparked months of protests, with anti-government demonstrators in dozens of cities chanting “Death to the dictator” and “Woman, life, freedom.”
Hundreds died in the protests and thousands were detained as police sought to quell the unrest. The West has condemned executions linked to the protests as well as the Iranian government’s efforts to restrict internet access.
The House resolution, which passed 420-1 on Wednesday, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) casting the lone “no” vote, condemns the “violent suppression” by Iranian authorities, who stand accused of firing live rounds at protesters, among other abuses.
Tenney, speaking from the House floor ahead of the vote, called the protests the “most significant popular protest” in Iran since its theocratic regime came to power in 1979.
She called on the Biden administration to “do more” to confront Iran.
“Instead of negotiating with this brutal regime at a moment of weakness and true vulnerability, the Biden administration must meet the moment and do everything in its power to stand with the Iranian people,” Tenney said.
On Monday, the White House issued its ninth round of sanctions over Iran’s crackdowns.
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Ramesh Sepehrrad, advisory chairwoman of the Organization of Iranian American Communities, lauded the passage of the House resolution in a Tuesday statement.
“Congress has always spoken in a strong bipartisan voice and expressing support for the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran and condemning violations of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism by the Iranian Government,” she said.
“We welcome the passing of H. Res. 7,” she continued, “and we look forward to the next steps by the House as the Iranian people are denouncing the past and present dictatorship with their chants daily.”
Misty Severi contributed to this report.
