[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S13873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AMERICAN HIKERS DETAINED BY IRAN

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to renew my appeal to the 
Government of Iran to immediately release the three American hikers--
Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal--who were detained by 
Iranian authorities in July.
  According to available information, the three young adults, who are 
all graduates of the University of California, Berkeley, inadvertently 
crossed an unmarked border into Iran while hiking in the Kurdistan 
region of northern Iraq.
  Shane, Sarah and Josh have now been held in semi-isolation for over 
140 days without charge, access to legal representation, or information 
on the current status of their case and future proceedings. This is 
deeply troubling and incredibly difficult for their families.
  I recently spoke to the Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations on 
behalf of the hikers to reiterate my call for their release. I also 
asked that they be able to call their families and continue to be 
visited by Swiss consular officials.
  During this holiday season, Americans from all walks of life are 
celebrating and renewing ties of family, friendship, and good will.
  The extended absence of these young Americans from their families is 
particularly painful during such a festive time. As such, I call upon 
the Iranian authorities to immediately release Shane, Sarah and Josh so 
that their families can welcome them home.

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