(Washington, DC) - With regard to the recent Iranian election and post election protests, Congresswoman Corrine Brown made the following statement:

"I voted in favor of House Resolution 560, which 'expresses support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law…' and strongly support the other two key elements of the Resolution, 'condemning the ongoing violence against demonstrators by the Government of Iran and pro-government militias, and the affirmation of the universality of individual rights and the importance of democratic and fair elections.'

Indeed, the Iranian regime's recent actions, the blatant election fraud, and brutal crackdown of peaceful protestors, are yet more examples of its long series of violations of international law.  Others include the government's illicit nuclear program, illegal support for terrorism, as well as consistent, flagrant abuses of human rights, all of which have been going on long before the post election chaos.

I stand in strong support of the will of the Iranian people.  From the scant media coverage and information that has emerged from Iran, I understand that hundreds of Iranian citizens have been injured, and at least 20 have been killed in the severe government oppression following the election.  Insofar as human rights are concerned, one issue that I am extremely concerned about is the very real possibility of another Tiananmen Square type massacre to silence the protesters.  Given the government's current abolition of all media outlets throughout the country, the possibility of such a massacre taking place is very real.      

I believe that the United States needs to work closely with the international community to forge a unified response to this crisis. Clearly we do not want to allow the ruling mullahs to use the United States or the Western World as an excuse to continue with their brutal suppression of the brave Iranian citizens who are risking their lives to stand up to the ruling party and demand that their vote be fairly counted."

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