FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jamal Abdi
Phone: 202-386-6325
Email: [email protected]

Washington, DC – The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) commends the California State Senate for unanimously passing Senate Resolution 29 – recognizing the contributions of the Iranian-American community and calling upon the Iranian government to provide basic human rights and political freedoms to its citizens.  NIAC strongly supported the efforts of Senator Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) to introduce and pass this positive measure.
 
“We commend Senator Blakeslee and his colleagues for their recognition of the contributions of the Iranian-American and for their unequivocal call for the Iranian government to ensure basic human rights for all of Iran’s people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion,” said NIAC President Trita Parsi. “We strongly support the California Senate’s recognition of the critical role of diplomacy in peacefully resolving conflicts and establishing mechanisms to effectively address human rights abuses and create space for Iran’s pro-democracy movement.”
 
NIAC strongly supported SR 29 not only because it raises awareness about human rights in Iran, but also because it seeks to promote a better understanding of Iranians and Iranian-Americans.
 
“I am proud to honor the many significant contributions of Iranian Americans across the state of California and throughout the United States and to call on the Iranian government to honor its human rights obligations,” said Senator Blakeslee. “Many Iranian-Americans maintain close relationships with their friends and family in Iran, and today the California State Senate conveyed the important message that the Iranian people deserve that their government afford them basic human rights and political freedoms.”
 
SR 29 expresses the support of the California State Senate for the Iranian people and recognizes the month of June 2012 as “30 Days of Solidarity with the Human Rights Movement in the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Senator Blakeslee is also hosting a series of Iranian cultural events in California throughout the month of June, in what will hopefully become an annual festival of Iranian culture.