Congresswoman Tenney Leads Press Conference Calling Out Iranian Regime’s Abuses

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) hosted a press conference today celebrating the passage of her resolution commending the bravery, courage, and resolve of the women and men of Iran who are demonstrating in more than 133 cities against the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, which passed the House by a vote of 420-1.

The resolution was introduced in response to protests occurring across Iran against the brutal Iranian regime following the death of Mahsa Amini. She died in police custody after her arrest by the morality police for violating the country’s strict dress codes. This resolution affirmed the bipartisan commitment to the Iranian people against the despotic Ayatollah and his brutal regime.

Congresswoman Tenney led the press conference alongside Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Iranian human rights activist and actress Nazanin Boniadi.

At the press conference, the Congresswoman gave the following remarks. Click here to watch.

Good morning! My name is Claudia Tenney, and I represent New York’s 24th Congressional District.

Thank you all for joining me today to show your solidarity with the courageous Iranian people, who are standing up and speaking out against their regime’s brutal human rights abuses.

I want to especially thank human rights activist and actress Nazanin Boniadi for joining us today. Many of you may know Ms. Boniadi from her starring roles in film and television, including the hit TV shows General Hospital and How I Met Your Mother.

But what some of you may not know, is that she is also a tireless and compassionate advocate for the Iranian people. Nazanin was born in Iran shortly after the revolution. A month after her birth, her family moved to the United Kingdom, where she spent her childhood.

Despite having tremendous success professionally, Nazanin has never forgotten those who remained in Iran. Throughout her career, she has used her voice to give power to those who sadly have not had one for many decades: the women of Iran.

We are here this morning to bring attention to their heroic stand against the regime in Tehran. And I thank Nazanin for joining us!

Almost four and a half months after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini [Mah-sah Ameeni], Iranian men, women, and children continue to protest the regime and its cruelty, despite the immense risk to themselves and their families.

The regime has responded with brute force and absolute violence.

Hundreds of peaceful Iranian protestors have been killed by regime security forces. Thousands more have been detained on trumped up charges, and many of those in custody, especially women, have been subjected to cruel and inhumane torture.

The regime has also unjustly executed Iranian protestors in sham trials that lack any modicum of due process. Many dozens more Iranians face the imminent possibility of execution.

But the brave Iranian people are not backing down.

In fact, they are more resolved than ever. They are demanding a government that respects their rights at home, stops funding terrorism abroad, and makes peace with its neighbors. They are demanding a future built on freedom, justice, and prosperity.

And WE STAND WITH THEM!

Just this week, the House of Representatives passed our bipartisan concurrent resolution condemning the Iranian regime for its gross human rights abuses against protestors in Iran. It further commends the people of Iran for remaining true to the cause of freedom, against all odds. 

I want to thank my Democratic co-lead Mr. Gottheimer and House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul for their support of our resolution. And to Ranking Member Gregory Meeks for his support.

This resolution does more than condemn the regime and commend the people of Iran – it is also a clear call to action. It urges the Biden Administration to meet the moment and do everything in its power to stand with the Iranian people. The United States must sanction those responsible for these brutal killings.

We must also do more to counter the Iranian regime’s attempts to restrict internet access to stop its citizens from sharing images and videos of abuses with the outside world. We have the power to give the Iranian people the voice they need to tell the truth about their oppression at the hands of the Ayatollah, and we must exercise it.

Finally, we must lead the effort to press our allies and partners around the world to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. The United States rightly designated the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2019. Now the world must join us in this noble cause. The IRGC’s reign of terror must come to an end.

With an almost unanimous passage this week – 420 votes to ONE – the House of Representatives said loudly, clearly, and with a strong bipartisan voice, that the American people are on the side of the Iranian people.

I implore the Senate to quickly take up and pass this concurrent resolution and join the House of Representatives in our steadfast support of the Iranian people.

To the people of Iran –

We commend your bravery. We mourn your losses.

The American people are with you as your stand up for your freedom.

Now, I’ll pass things over to Mr. Gottheimer to say a few words.

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