Van Hollen, Coons, Lankford introduce resolution to condemn Iran for systemic persecution of women and peaceful protestors

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing a resolution condemning the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman whose killing last week by Iran’s “morality police” sparked nationwide protests, and calling on the government of Iran to end its systemic persecution of women. The resolution also celebrates the bravery of the Iranian people protesting Amini’s death despite a violent crackdown by the Iranian government. Senator Coons is co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus.

“All people deserve freedom, dignity and respect. The death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the Iranian regime must be condemned in the strongest terms, and it has triggered a deep pent-up anger that force can't erase. As Iranians take to the streets in protest, we stand with them in support of women’s rights and human rights and against the abominable actions of the Iranian regime. State-sanctioned violence against non-violent protestors must be denounced wherever it takes place,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“As co-chair of the Human Rights Caucus, I commend the thousands of brave protesters who are risking their lives to advocate for human rights in Iran, including the human rights of Iranian women. The public response to Mahsa Amini’s death at the hands Iran’s morality police makes clear that the Iranian government’s oppression is no match for the demands for dignity and respect by the Iranian people,” said Senator Coons. “This resolution sends a clear message that the United States stands behind the rights of women and peaceful protesters in Iran and reaffirms that our commitment to human rights, women’s rights, and democratic freedoms is core to our values and foreign policy.”

“We stand with the courageous Iranian people who are at this moment risking their lives to stand up for their freedom and the right to live their faith,” said Senator Lankford. “The U.S. Senate should send a loud and clear message that we support the basic human rights of all people around the world, including the oppressed people of Iran living under a repressive regime.”

In addition to Senators Van Hollen, Coons, and Lankford, the resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

For additional quotes from cosponsors, click here.