[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 249 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 249

  Condemning the death sentence issued against British author Salman 
Rushdie by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Iran and calling for its 
                         immediate repudiation.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 12, 1994

   Mr. Gingrich (for himself and Mr. Lantos) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Condemning the death sentence issued against British author Salman 
Rushdie by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Iran and calling for its 
                         immediate repudiation.

Whereas the House of Representatives went on record in March 1989 condemning the 
        death sentence on Salman Rushdie and others associated with the 
        publication and distribution of his book and declaring the commitment of 
        the United States Government to the promotion and protection of the 
        right to the freedom of expression without fear and intimidation;
Whereas the Iranian Parliament in June 1992 confirmed the death sentence against 
        Salman Rushdie and called on all Muslims and Hizbollah organizations to 
        carry out the death sentence;
Whereas in 1993 an Islamic religious organization, the Fifteenth Khordad 
        Foundation, raised the bounty for successfully carrying out the death 
        sentence against Salman Rushdie to $2,000,000 plus expenses;
Whereas the death sentence against Salman Rushdie continues to be a flagrant 
        violation of freedom of expression and is contrary to international 
        rules of behavior, the Charter of the United Nations, and the 
        International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
Whereas respect for and tolerance of differing religious views is a fundamental 
        principle upon which the United States is based; and
Whereas this action against Salman Rushdie tests the commitment of the Iranian 
        Government on the protection of basic human rights and jeopardizes 
        efforts to improve relations between the United States and Iran: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) condemns the death sentence issued against Salman 
        Rushdie;
            (2) calls for the immediate withdrawal of the death 
        sentence against Salman Rushdie as well as any reward for 
        carrying out the death sentence;
            (3) calls upon the President to--
                    (A) request that the United Nations Security 
                Council condemn Iran for issuing the edict against 
                Salman Rushdie, and
                    (B) call upon the Government of Iran to respect 
                international principles of human rights and lift the 
                sentence on Salman Rushdie;
            (4) calls upon the President to inform the Government of 
        Iran that--
                    (A) the House of Representatives has adopted this 
                resolution,
                    (B) the Government of Iran will be held liable in 
                case an attempt is made on Salman Rushdie's life, and
                    (C) the Government of Iran should make all attempts 
                to prevent the spread of propaganda promoting Salman 
                Rushdie's assassination;
            (5) commends those people of all nations who have firmly 
        stood for freedom of expression despite threats and 
        intimidation; and
            (6) reaffirms the commitment of the Congress to the 
        promotion and protection of the fundamental right of freedom of 
        expression, and reaffirms its support for basic human rights in 
        the world community.

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