McCaul, Engel

Hold Iran Accountable for Violations of Human Rights

“We support a free Iran”

Mar 10, 2017 Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Michael McCaul (R-TX) – senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee – and Eliott Engel (D-NY) – Ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee – introduced a resolution to expose the Iranian regime’s state-sponsored 1988 massacre of men, women, and children.

Congressman Michael McCaul: “To this day, Iran has refused to acknowledge the massacre or provide information to the families of the victims regarding their loved ones. Even more disturbingly, some of those directly responsible for carrying out the massacre still hold senior positions within the current government of Iran.  This resolution is an important step in providing justice to the families of those who fell victim to this atrocity in 1988, while highlighting the gross human rights abuses that still continue in Iran today.”

Congressman Eliott Engel: “This bipartisan effort to shine a bright light on these atrocious killings sends a strong message to any human rights violator that the world is watching.  In this resolution, we call for those responsible to be brought to justice and we show that world does not forget about such gross violations of human rights.”

Background:
In 1988, by order of a religious decree issued by then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Iran carried out a systematic effort to exterminate those it deemed political opponents of the regime.  Amnesty International estimates that anywhere from 4,000 to 5000 individuals were executed during the summer of 1988, although some human rights organizations estimate the number could be higher.

Congressman Michael McCaul has represented the 10th District of Texas since 2005.  Currently, he serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security and senior member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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