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On Wednesday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South
Asia, held a hearing entitled “Axis of Abuse: U.S. Human Rights Policy toward Iran and Syria, Part 1.”
Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH) chairs the committee with Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-
NY). Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and
Assistant Secretary of State of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Michael Posner
testified at the hearing.
Chabot opened the hearing by expressing concerns over the human rights situation in both Iran and
Syria. Chabot said that in 2009, Iran’s electoral fraud first sparked the beginning of the uprisings in
the region, and since then, Iran’s abuse of political prisoners have increased more than any country in
the world. In Syria, Chabot expressed dismay over the estimated deaths of over 1600 Syrians killed
and 1,000 Syrians imprisoned. Chabot also emphasized that the administration’s response to the
violence against protesters in Syria has been “feeble and late. The administration has to call
these regimes illegitimate.” According to Chabot, the administration has condemned the regimes,
but has not “seriously challenged” the regimes by calling for their removal. “Making no decision is a
decision and no matter what side prevails, the U.S. can’t do business with these regimes
anymore,” Chabot said.
Ackerman agreed with Chabot by expressing concerns over the Administration’s “failure” toward
Syria. He emphasized that he is not calling for U.S. military action in Syria, but that the
president must call for President Bashar al-Assad to step down or enforce further sanctions
against the regime by barring Syrian banks and freezing assets. “Be serious about denouncing the
regimes,” Ackerman said. Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY) also made a statement in agreement
with Ackerman saying that it is time for the U.S. to act.
Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL) made a statement about Iran’s human rights abuses emphasizing
that it should be the Administration’s priority to show that it is “serious about human rights
abuses and give the opposition resources” to fight against the Iranian regime.
Jeffrey Feltman opened his testimony by denouncing Assad as a reformer and emphasizing that the
Syrian people need a government that is respectful of human rights. Additionally, Feltman said that
the Iranian regime’s leaders are “dangerous, hypocrites and shameless.” Feltman said that Iran
should also recognize human rights, give information on detainees and release the U.S. hikers from
prison.
Michael Posner discussed on how the United States can move forward during this time of uprisings
throughout his testimony. In Syria, Posner said that it is important to highlight the abuses against
children and those that are responsible should be tried for the crimes. In addition, with the
demonstrations continuing and expanding, Posner said it is important for the U.S. to work
toward supporting the citizens in their efforts to overthrow the regimes. “These regimes will not
stand because their own people are going to overthrow them,” Posner said.
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During the Q&A session, Chabot and Ackerman asked Posner and Feltman “how many more people
must die before the U.S. denouncs Assad.” Chabot said that the US. Policy hasn’t changed toward
Syria and Assad “must go.” Additionally, both Ackerman and Chabot showed confusion over why
the U.S. called for Libyan Leader Muammar Gadhafi’s removal, but not for Assad’s. Feltman
responded that it is important for the U.S. to tread carefully in an effort to not take the spotlight off the
Syrian people’s efforts to delegitimize Assad. Additionally, Posner emphasized that the focus for the
U.S. is to listen to the people on the ground and work with them closely to see what areas they need
help in. Both Posner and Feltman used Ambassador Robert Ford’s efforts to stand in solidarity with
the people of Syria during protests as an example of the help the U.S. wants to continue offering to the
protesters.
Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) asked whether the U.S. is concerned about the political
transitions that may take place if the Syrian regime is overthrown. Feltman responded that there is no
transition that will fit every overthrowing in the Middle East. Additionally, Posner emphasized that
the U.S. can help shape the transitions taking place and that it is important for the U.S. to continue
condemning the violence taking place in the region.
Congressman Deutch asked Posner whether the opposition movement in Iran is still strong and
continues to work toward fighting against the Iranian regime. According to Posner, the Iranian
opposition movement is “fragmented and confused, but becoming increasingly frustrated” with the
regime. The U.S. is offering resources to the opposition movement in Iran and other countries by
providing programs that include, internet freedom and train the opposition to allow for
opposition groups to meet and discuss what action to take if the regime does fall. Additionally,
Deutch emphasized there must be a crackdown on human rights abuses.
During the second round of Q&A session, Chabot asked what the U.S. position was toward Iran and
whether the U.S. is trying to negotiate a deal. Feltman responded that Iran plays a significant role in
the region and that the U.S. has to go about it in a specific way. In addition, Posner said that the U.S.
is offering resources to the civil society and has ramped up efforts by imposing further sanctions.
Posner also emphasized the significance of establishing a human rights rapporteur on Iran, and
said that the U.S. is taking the leading effort to isolate Iran and encourages for allies to do the
same.
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