Editor’s Note: The
first two paragraphs were written as part of an email by James Bunton,
Co-Captain of the Iowa Chapter of NIAC (National Iranian American
Council). The text that follows that was
written by Jamal Abdi, President of NIAC, an update this week as he has done in
the week prior as well. Both are
reprinted with permission. Links are embedded in the article for opportunities for action and more information. Mahsa’s death
occurred in the week of Sept. 11, 2022.
By James Bunton
Mahsa, a young Iranian Kurdish woman was arrested by the
"Iranian morality police" for improperly wearing a hijab (showing a
little too much hair). She was tortured and died. Arrest and torture are not
uncommon for Iranian women who are caught, displaying hair, by the morality
police.
Mahsa (NIAC)In response to her death, Iranian women have taken to the
streets in cities across Iran burning hajib and cutting their hair. The cutting
of hair is traditionally done by Iranian women to demonstrate great mourning or
during a life crisis. Their grief and demand for justice have been met with the
shutdown of the internet, and the blocking of Whatsapp, and Instagram. In
addition, peaceful protesters are being killed by Iranian security.
__________________________
By Jamal Abdi
As we monitor the situation inside Iran with a mix of hope
and fear, and continue to be inspired by the bravery of the Iranian people
standing up to the Iranian government’s brutal repression, we have been
conducting a flurry of meetings in Washington to ensure the Biden
Administration and members of the House and Senate are fully informed and
taking the right steps to stand with the Iranian people.
If you are not already, please make sure to subscribe to
NIAC's Human Rights Tracker for ongoing updates on the situation on the ground
in Iran. Since 2019, we've been producing this tracker weekly and in the last
week, we've put out several as the situation in Iran is constantly evolving. Weare also sharing updates on demonstrations and vigils you can attend insolidarity with Iranians.
Here is what we have been emphasizing in meetings with the
Biden Administration and members of the House and Senate:
Expand Internet Access
The most important way for citizens to mobilize and share
information is via the internet. For years, NIAC and others have advocated for
eliminating sanctions on internet communications tools so that U.S. policy
would not help Iran's government censor, monitor, and shut down its citizens'
access to the internet. Last Friday, the Biden Administration listened and
issued General License D-2 to ensure social media, cloud technology, and other
internet-based tools and platforms are no longer blocked by sanctions. These
few actions can make a difference for Iranians on the ground and make it harder
for the Iranian government to throttle the internet in the future.
The faster tech companies reconnect Iranians, the sooner it
will make a difference. That is why we are supporting outreach by the
administration to urge companies to act, and we are conducting our own outreach
to companies like Apple, Amazon, Google and more.
Target Human Rights Sanctions
Sanctions must target human rights violators in Iran's
government, not the people demanding their rights. In 2009, NIAC helped draft
and enact the first human rights sanctions targeting Iranian officials, and we
have been urging that the administration redouble these efforts and designate
violators for targeted sanctions. We do understand that, because of the broad
sanctions already in place against Iran, further sanctions can end up being
duplicative. This is why we have consistently opposed broad sanctions that
punish ordinary Iranians and instead have supported targeted sanctions against
officials. These targeted designations will help build momentum and show
solidarity to Iranians bravely fighting for their rights and in doing so
risking their lives.
Listen to and Amplify the Voices of Iranians Inside Iran
While many of us are inspired and moved to action in
solidarity with Iranians, we also must be careful to amplify their voices
rather than speak for them. This is one reason why internet access is so
important, so the Iranian people can tell their story rather than someone
telling it for them. We have encouraged policymakers to listen to the Iranian
people, particularly Iranian women who are leading this movement from the
frontlines, and help uplift those voices. We've urged that the administration
consider other measures to ensure Iranians are not isolated and their voices
can be heard, and have urged that more be done to help support Iranian
refugees, political prisoners, and asylum seekers.
We have heard numerous reports of Meta taking down Facebook
and Instagram posts either exposing Iranian government abuses or standing in
solidarity with the people of Iran. That is unacceptable and we must have
answers and action. That’s why we have contacted Meta to urge them to
investigate and resolve this issue, and we encourage you to take action here to
tell Meta to lift up Iranian voices, not silence them, at this crucial moment. TAKE ACTION
...
James Bunton is Co-Captain of the Iowa Chapter of NIAC
(National Iranian American Council).
Jamal Abdi is President of NIAC.
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