Congresswoman Shea-Porter - 80 Senators and Representatives Urge State Dept. to "Exhaust Every Option" in Release of Abedini

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Shea-Porter (D-NH),  Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ), Co-Chairman of the International Religious Freedom Caucus, Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA), Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), and Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), along with over eighty colleagues from the House and Senate, including Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL), sent a letter to Secretary of State John F. Kerry and urged him to exhaust every possible option to secure U.S. citizen Saeed Abedini’s release from Iran.

According to U.S. Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), “This letter informs both Secretary Kerry and the nation of Iran that the members of Congress, and the people we represent, refuse to silently accept this violation of human rights. We will continue to speak out until Pastor Saeed is free to come home to his two young children, his community of faith, and his country.”

U.S. Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) said, "The overwhelming bipartisanship of our congressional letter to Secretary of State Kerry demonstrates the serious implications of Saeed Abedini’s case in Iran and the need for swift action by our State Department. When a U.S. citizen is unjustly detained and imprisoned—particularly in Iran, a country with no respect for rule of law or fundamental human rights—the State Department should come vigorously to his or her defense.  As Secretary Kerry assumes his new position at State Department, the Saeed Abedini case deserves his immediate and personal attention."

U.S. Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) stated, "Pastor Abedini’s case exemplifies Iran’s flagrant violation of human rights and religious freedom.  We hope that this letter, with its deep support from all across America, will show Saeed Abedini that he is not alone and that we have not forgotten him.”

“The case of Saeed Abedini is one example of the continued, egregious violations of religious freedom in Iran, and he should be released immediately,” said U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), author of the Lautenberg Amendment on refugees. “This case also shows why programs like the Lautenberg Amendment are critical for religious minorities in Iran fleeing persecution, and Congress must act to reauthorize the Amendment.  As President Ahmadinejad maintains his oppressive rule in Iran, we must continue to provide religious minorities with a safe means of exit and access to refugee status in the United States.”

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) continued, “The Iranian regime must immediately and unconditionally release Pastor Saeed.  Iran's decision to sentence a pastor to eight years in prison simply for practicing his religion reflects the regime's flagrant disregard for basic human rights.  As Americans, we cannot tolerate such violations of personal freedom, especially against our own citizens.  I am proud to join my colleagues in sending a strong message of solidarity to Pastor Saeed and all Iranian dissidents.”

“I am deeply dismayed and disturbed by the news from Iran that Pastor and American citizen Mr. Saeed Abedini has been sentenced by the Iranian government to eight years in prison for practicing the Christian faith,” wrote U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).  “Pastor Abedini’s case is symbolic of the gross injustice against all Christians in Iran today. I am encouraged that many of my colleagues feel the same way, as demonstrated by this letter but we need to add the voice of the President of the United States to the chorus of concern.”

U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) concluded, "Religious freedom is one of the most fundamental rights any human being should have. Pastor Abedini's wrongful conviction and imprisonment is the latest example of Iran's continued blatant disregard for religious freedom and the rule of law. Pastor Abedini is an American citizen, who has committed his life to Christ, his country and his family—none of which are punishable offenses. I am proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to continue calling for swift action from the State Department under Secretary Kerry's leadership to bring Pastor Abedini home." 

###

BACKGROUND:

The Honorable John F. Kerry, Secretary of State

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20520

February 12, 2013

Dear Secretary Kerry:

We write to thank you for your recent statement calling for the release of American citizen Saeed Abedini and we respectfully urge you to exhaust every possible option to secure Mr. Abedini’s immediate release.

We support your assessment that Mr. Abedini’s imprisonment represents a “violation of the universal right of freedom of religion.” We were also heartened by the State Department’s recent condemnation of the imprisonment and trial of Mr. Abedini.

While there are countless important issues that come before you, few are more sacred than defending the most fundamental human rights. It is even more incumbent upon us to stand against persecution when it is levied against our own citizens. As an American citizen, Mr. Abedini deserves nothing less than the exercising of every diplomatic tool of the U.S. government to defend his basic human rights.

Mr. Abedini was detained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on July 28, 2012, during a lawful entry into Iran. Mr. Abedini’s detention occurred during his ninth trip to Iran since 2009.  His frequent travel to Iran was for the humanitarian purpose of opening an orphanage in Rasht, Iran – an endeavor the Iranian Regime encouraged and supported.  During his most recent trip to Iran, Mr. Abedini’s passports were confiscated and he was forced to remain in Iran and face charges relating to his Christian faith.  On September 26, 2012, the Revolutionary Guard raided the home of Mr. Abedini’s parents and took Mr. Abedini into custody.  In the following months, Mr. Abedini experienced solitary confinement, beatings, and aggressive interrogations in Evin Prison.

On January 21, 2013, Mr. Abedini stood trial in front one of the most notorious judges in Iran: Judge Pir-Abassi of Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court.  Judge Pir-Abassi is known as the “hanging judge” and has been designated by the European Union for numerous violations committed during trials of human rights activists related to the 2009 Iranian elections.  It is deeply disturbing that the human rights of an American citizen were decided by an Iranian judge of this repute.

Every American citizen traveling or living abroad should have the assurance that the U.S. government will come vigorously to his or her defense if they are unjustly detained or imprisoned. We respectfully request that you continue to use every diplomatic avenue possible, in cooperation with our allies and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, to secure Mr. Abedini’s unconditional release and personally and publically condemn his arbitrary detention in a statement.

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www.shea-porter.house.gov

NetRight Daily: Today's Top News on NRN

Why Is the State Department Getting a Pass?:  As I mentioned yesterday, my syndicated column today spotlights the abysmally lax visa issuance policies at Hillary Clinton's State Department -- a problem that festered before 9/11 under GOP and Democrat administrations alike and continues now (hello, James Riady).

The ObamaCare Albatross:  Fueled by voter dissatisfaction over the government takeover of the nation's health system and the unbridled expansion of government as a whole, 2010 is already shaping up to be a plus-year for Republicans. A growing consensus in Washington suggests that Republicans stand to pick up a windfall of seats in both houses of Congress..

VIDEO:  Jill Biden Clueless on DC School Voucher Program.

Book Review - Colossus by Niall Ferguson:  When most Americans hear the word empire, they think of the Romans or the British. They do not think of their own nation, the United States. So it was no shock when Niall Ferguson published "Colossus: The Rise and Fall of the American Empire" in 2005, he received lots of criticism from both the left and the right. But to read this book, the reader must open his or her mind to big ideas that are truly outside of the box.

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ALG Applauds DeMint Hold on "Errant, Arrogant threat to freedom" Arturo Valenzuela

Jim DeMint is to be commended for standing

against this arrogant and errant Ivy Tower elitist."

Bill Wilson, president ALG

ALG Applauds DeMint Hold on "Errant, Arrogant

threat to freedom" Arturo Valenzuela

Americans for Limited Government (ALG) today commended Sen. Jim DeMint for putting a hold on the nomination of Arturo Valenzuela to be "Western Hemisphere Czar," terming the nominee, "a dangerous threat to democracy throughout Latin America."

Valenzuela, nominated by Barack Obama to the post of Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, would exercise broad powers over U.S. policy throughout Latin America and the Caribbean Basin. In the recent past, Valenzuela has argued for "dialogue and opening" towards Cuba, defended Hugo Chavez' crackdown on press freedom in Venezuela, and denied that violence was a major issue in Mexico.

Most recently, Valenzuela vigorously defended impeached president Manuel Zelaya of Honduras after the strong-arm ruler was impeached for violating the nation's Constitution. Under tough questioning by DeMint In hearings on the Honduras crisis, Valenzuela claimed that his 40 years as a college professor had made him an expert on "military takeovers." [SEE ATTACHED Washington News Observer VIDEO]. DeMint reminded the nominee that the Honduran military was acting under orders of the legislature and courts and at no time assumed power.

"Arturo Valenzuela has never met a Marxist dictator that he didn't embrace," said ALG's Wilson. The very thought that he would be in a position to push his despotic agenda throughout Latin America is an anathema to all who value freedom.

"In fact, it seems that the only governments Mr. Valenzuela has problems with are those that adopt democratic constitutions and then embrace and defend the freedoms they assure," Wilson said. "As long as Manuel Zelaya was violating Honduras' democratic safeguards, Arturo Valenzuela was nodding in silent consent. But, the moment the courageous people of that country rose up to defend freedom, Valenzuela was suddenly outraged. That's appalling."

The controversial Valenzuela first came to national attention in November, 2008, when widely respected journalist Martin Edwin Andersen resigned from Freedom House to protest the nominee's being an "apologist" for corruption in Argentina and throughout Latin America. Valenzuela at the time was a Freedom House advisor.

"When it comes to Latin America," Andersen wrote, "I truly hope the Obama team will give a pass on including former Hillary Clinton supporter Arturo Valenzuela on its foreign policy team. Not only is Valenzuela's dandyish personal style both boorish and pedantic; he has been proven dead wrong on several issues critical to democracy in Latin America and to U.S. security."

Said Wilson of the Valenzuela nomination, "Barack Obama has appointed scores of 'czars' with extra-legal powers to work outside of the normal channels of government to enforce his will. But, the nomination of Valenzuela is one of the most chilling of all.

"He, and he alone, will have nearly dictatorial powers to determine U.S. policy towards Latin America. And his open support for Marxist tyranny – whether in Cuba, Venezuela, or Honduras – proves him to be a clear and present threat to freedom. Jim DeMint is to be commended for standing against this arrogant and errant Ivy Tower elitist."

Attachments:

Letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from 17 Senators with attached Charges against Zelaya, and Supreme Court Order to Arrest Zelaya, July 8th, 2009.

Legal Background, "Legal situation of the transition government in Honduras," June 29th, 2009.

Arturo Valenzuela Background, Americans for Limited Government, July 2009.

ALG Urges Senate Committee to Reject Valenzuela Nomination to State Department

Americans for Limited Government wanted to specially bring your attention to a nominee that deserves the mutual, editorial condemnation of journalists across the nation and around the world: Arturo Valenzuela, Barack Obama's nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. Why?

According to a former colleague, "He had also loudly defended Venezuela's narcissist-leninist Hugo Chavez on press freedom in previous meetings at Freedom House." This is no small matter, and should be cause for concern for anyone that values the freedom of the press.

Hugo Chavez's record on press freedom is atrocious. Just this year, Chavez has threatened to shut down Globovision because the television station criticized the Venezuelan dictator. Globovision is the only channel left in Venezuela where citizens can hear criticism against Chavez.

Valenzuela is on the wrong side of this and other issues critical to liberty in the Americas, and ALG urges you to take a sharp line against this very poor nomination to the State Department.

ALG News Bureau

Shea-Porter Announces More than $2.5 Million in Funding for Portsmouth Passport Facility

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today announced that the Portsmouth National Passport Center will receive $2,570,000 for facility renovations. This funding is provided through the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.