For decades, Iranians have suffered under a double burden of repression by their government and hardship caused by US sanctions. Even as Iranians have taken to the streets for their rights and faced brutal violence from their own government, US sanctions continue to stand in their way.
A group of Members of Congress are standing up to declare: this is WRONG—US policies should not punish the innocent people of Iran.
- Humanitarian and relief organizations in the US are currently BLOCKED from working in Iran—the US must eliminate this sanction and allow Iranian-Americans an avenue to provide humanitarian support for the Iranian people.
- The US government does business with companies that provide Iranian government tools to SPY on Iranians—the US must cut funding for companies that provide tools of repression used against the Iranian people.
- American anti-censorship software is PREVENTED from being sent to Iran— the US must not deny Iranians tools for accessing information online.
- Microsoft and Google REMOVED instant messaging software used by Iranians due to US sanction laws—US sanctions must never again block communication software used by the people of Iran.
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) have introduced two unprecedented bills that will eliminate these harmful US laws that hurt Iranians: the Stand with the Iranian People Act (SWIPA) and Iranian Digital Empowerment Act (IDEA).
This is an historic moment for the Iranian-American community, but Congress will not act without your support. President Obama has responded to the introduction of these two bills by eliminating some US sanctions on instant messaging software, but this is not enough: we must tell Congress to end the US punishment of Iranians and pass SWIPA and IDEA into law now.
Tell your member of Congress to Stand with the Iranian People today!
For more information on SWIPA: English summary, Persian summary, Frequently asked questions
For more information on IDEA: English summary, Persian summary
