June 24th, 2010 by Farid

The latest version of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (H.R.2194), more popularly known as “crippling sanctions,” was introduced in Congress on Monday.  The Senate now appears likely to pass the bill this afternoon, with the House aiming to pass it by the end of the week.  The policy Director for National Iranian American Council (NIAC),  Jamal Abdi, describes these as sanctions “that would ‘cripple’ Iran’s economy by cutting off gasoline to Iran that is used by ordinary Iranians for everything from heating their homes to producing food and transporting medicine.” According to Abdi, the newly passed sanction bill means that the U.S. has missed an opportunity to support the Iranian people.

Abdi expresses his disappointment with the new bill, saying that there were additional bills introduced that would not only support the Iranian people and allow them to be directors of their own  future, but would also declare a solid American stance for human rights and provide opportunities for American human rights organizations to work in Iran. “Most Americans do not even realize that current policies make it illegal for U.S. NGOs to work in Iran without special permission, unless they have searched for ways to help Iranians and realized that there are few avenues to provide such support,” Abdi explains.

While Abdi points out positive elements of the Congressional sanctions package, such as H.R.4301, the Iranian Digital Empowerment Act (IDEA) — enabling software to reach Iranians in order to effectively communicate and access information — he argues that the shortcomings of the sanctions package are overwhelming and “will ultimately impose further pain on Iranians and do more damage than good.”

UPDATE: The Senate has just unanimously passed the increased sanctions on Iran, as the House prepares to deliberate the bill. If the act also passes the House, it will be sent on to President Obama to sign into law.

Posted in Human Rights, Iran, Legislation, US foreign policy, sanctions |