[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 8 (Friday, January 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E39]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF IRAN TO FREE EXPRESSION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                  HON. HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 9, 2018

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 
676.
  H. Res. 676 supports the rights of the people of Iran to free 
expression, condemns the Iranian regime for its crackdown on legitimate 
protests, and displays American support for peaceful Iranian 
protestors. H. Res. 676 recognizes the rights of Iranians to peaceful 
forms of free expression.
  On December 28, 2017, Iranians in the city of Mashad began protesting 
against the Iranian regime. The protestors expressed economic 
grievances, frustrations over widespread corruption, and disapproval of 
the regime's destabilizing support for terrorist groups. This message 
held sway with many Iranians and protests swiftly spread across the 
country. The Iranian regime has responded harshly to these protests. 
The regime has shut down mobile internet access and blocked and 
pressured companies to cut off social media applications that activists 
use to publicize protests. Consequently, H. Res. 676 provides Congress 
authority to license the provision of communications technology to Iran 
so that people can continue to express themselves freely. The Iranian 
regime has also engaged in a series of significant human rights abuses 
and major corruption cases. The Department of State strongly rebukes 
the Iranian regime's arrest of peaceful protestors, significant 
corruption, and destabilizing activities abroad. H. Res. 676 gives 
Congress the authority to designate and sanction elements of the 
Iranian regime involved in these abuses.
  This legislation is important for the United States because it 
emphasizes to Americans and citizens around the world that America is 
not afraid to stand up to defend the principles upon which our country 
was formed.
  I've long been a proponent of encouraging free and fair democracies 
and condemned authoritarianism abroad. As a member of the Judiciary 
committee, I have spent my tenure in Congress fighting for human and 
civil rights. Standing up for the rights of all people is of the utmost 
importance to me. Thus, it is with great pride that I support H. Res. 
676 and urge my fellow members to do the same.

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