[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 92 (Thursday, June 18, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6795-S6796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  IRAN

  Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, Senator Kyl and I will join in 
introducing a resolution concerning freedom of the press, freedom of 
speech, and freedom of expression in Iran.
  In the past week, the flow of information in and out of Iran has been 
suppressed. Voices in Iran have been silenced, and the international 
right to freedom of expression has been restricted, especially in the 
press.
  I support Iran's sovereignty and deeply respect the will of the 
Iranian people. While Iran has enthusiastically embraced elections, the 
long road to democracy does not end there. It also includes fundamental 
freedoms, such as freedom of expression, which is protected under the 
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
  In 1976, Iran was one of the first countries to ratify this U.N. 
treaty which also protects the right to hold opinions without 
interference and the right to receive and impart information in 
writing, print, or through any other media.
  Our resolution supports the Iranian people as they take steps to 
peacefully express their opinions and aspirations and seek access to 
means of communication and the news. It expresses respect for the 
sovereignty, proud history, and rich culture of the Iranian people, and 
recognizes the universal values of freedom of speech and freedom of the 
press.
  As President Obama said earlier this week:

       The democratic process--free speech [and] the ability of 
     people to peacefully dissent . . . are universal values and 
     need to be respected.

  This is the case not just in Iran but anywhere in the world.
  Since the Iranian presidential election on June 12, there have been 
increased restrictions on freedom of the press in Iran and limitations 
on the free flow of information. Newspapers and news services have been 
censored, access for journalists has been restricted, and specific 
media outlets have been blocked. Foreign journalists have had their 
press credentials canceled and videos confiscated. They have been 
confined to their hotels and told their visas would not be renewed. 
Bureaus of foreign press agencies in Tehran have been closed, and 
others have been instructed to suspend all their Farsi-language news.
  For Iranian journalists, the stakes have been even higher. Numerous 
Iranian journalists have been detained, imprisoned, assaulted, and 
intimidated since the elections on June 12. Journalists have been 
instructed to file stories solely from their offices, which has limited 
their ability to provide timely and accurate news. There has also been 
interference with international broadcasting in Iran, whether through 
the jamming of radio transmissions or blockage of satellite signals.
  Shortwave and medium-wave transmissions from the Farsi-language Radio 
Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Radio Farda have been partially jammed, and 
satellite broadcasts, including those of the Voice of America's Persian 
News Network and the British Broadcasting Corporation, have also been 
intermittently blocked as well. These services are widely popular in 
Iran, serving as a vital source of communication and entertainment, and 
attempts to thwart such broadcasts are shameful.
  Efforts to suppress the free flow of information have not focused on 
the media alone. Blogs and social networking sites have been targeted 
as well, including popular Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter. 
Short message service in Iran has been blocked--preventing text message 
communications and jamming Internet sites that utilize such services--
and cell phone service has been partially shut down.
  These restrictions have prevented the free flow of information and 
precluded Iranian citizens from communicating with each other. Some 
Iranians have circumvented these restrictions through proxy Web sites 
and third-party carriers, and the Internet has served, at times, as the 
only outlet for communication within Iran and with the rest of the 
world.
  This resolution reinforces the universal values of freedom of speech 
and freedom of the press. It supports the Iranian people as they take 
steps to peacefully express their voices, opinions, and aspirations. It 
condemns the detainment, the imprisonment, and the intimidation of all 
journalists in Iran and throughout the world.

[[Page S6796]]

  As President Obama said Tuesday:

       To those people who put so much hope and energy and 
     optimism into the political process, I would say to them that 
     the world is watching and inspired by their participation, 
     regardless of what the ultimate outcome of the election was.

  This resolution is not about the election in Iran. Rather, it is 
about the fundamental right to free speech, free press, and free 
expression of the Iranian people.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business for as much time as I may consume.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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