[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





        MAHSA AMINI HUMAN RIGHTS AND SECURITY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2023

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on H.R. 589, the 
Mahsa Amini Human Rights Security Accountability (MAHSA) Act.
  This bill would require the President of the United States to impose 
property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain individuals and 
entities affiliated with Iran.
  Additionally, this bill would impose requirements that the President 
periodically make determinations about whether certain existing 
sanctions apply to specified persons and impose the applicable 
sanctions, including determinations concerning:
  (1) the Supreme Leader of Iran and any official in the Office of the 
Supreme Leader of Iran;
  (2) the President of Iran and any official in the Office of the 
President of Iran; and
  (3) any entity overseen by the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran 
which is complicit in supporting human rights abuses or terrorism.
  Iran currently faces widespread unrest because of various human 
rights violations.
  In 2022, security forces killed more than 500 persons, including at 
least 69 children, and arrested more than 19,000 protesters, including 
children, according to the nongovernmental organization Human Rights 
Activists News Agency.
  Some of those arrested faced the death penalty, including children.
  The government also routinely disrupted access to the internet and 
communications applications to prevent the free flow of information and 
to attempt to interrupt or diminish participation in protests.
  Iran and its people deserve peace.
  This bill has been built on positive intentions that seek to solve an 
important and pressing issue.

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