Rep. Issa Joined by Rep. Wilson, Colleagues in Demanding Oversight Hearings on Iranian Human Rights Abuses
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) today released the following statement after calling on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to immediately hold a hearing on the human rights abuses occurring in Iran. Issa led with Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), and they were joined by fellow committee members Congressman Tim Burchett, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Congressman Greg Steube, Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, Congresswoman Ann Wagner, Congressman Steve Chabot, Congressman Brian Mast, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, and Congresswoman Young Kim:
“In numbers not seen for decades, the brave people of Iran are lifting their voices and publicly standing up to one of the world’s most brutal and repressive regimes. They are demanding their fundamental freedoms, and risking their very lives,” said Rep. Issa. “Many of them have already paid the ultimate price, and there is no better time for the House Foreign Affairs Committee to investigate Iran’s shocking human rights abuses, show the world the truth of what is happening there, and hold accountable the Mullahs of Iran. We must immediately convene an oversight hearing to shine light on this critical matter.”
The letter in part reads, “For seven weeks, brave men and women in Iran have tirelessly protested the oppressive regime, which was sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini who was beaten to death while in custody of Iran’s morality police after being arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf incorrectly. Congress has been out of session for two months, and during that time, Iran has attempted to stop the protests with increasingly brutal force that has reportedly resulted in the death of more than 272 protestors, including 39 children. Nearly 14,000 are being detained.”
The letter continues, “As men and women in Iran show indomitable courage in the face of Iran’s security forces, the Committee should immediately hold an open oversight hearing with top Administration officials, as well as a hearing to debate and mark up the bipartisan pieces of legislation addressing the human rights abuses and terrorism activities perpetrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Issa is also a cosponsor of H.Con.Res 110 commending the bravery and courage of Iranian demonstrators and H.Res.1397 condemning the Government of Iran’s torturous murder of Mahsa Amini.
The letter can be read HERE.
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Darrell Issa is the Representative of California’s 50th Congressional District. The District encompasses the central and northeastern parts of San Diego County and a portion of Riverside County, including the communities of Fallbrook, San Marcos, Valley Center, Ramona, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, El Cajon, Temecula, and the mountain and desert areas of the San Diego-Imperial County line. Issa served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2011-2015