Ted Kaufman - United States Senator for Delaware

June 19, 2009

View Sen. Kaufman's 6/18 floor statement here.

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Senate passed a resolution introduced by Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-DE) and co-sponsored by Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) that reinforces the universal values of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and supports the Iranian people as they take steps to peacefully express their voices, opinions, and aspirations in the aftermath of the June 12th election.   The resolution also condemns censorship and intimidation of the press in Iran, and pledges support to the Iranian people seeking access to news and other forms of information.  
 
"In the past week, the flow of information in and out of Iran has been suppressed," Sen. Kaufman said when introducing the resolution. "Voices in Iran have been silenced.  And the international right to freedom of expression has been restricted, especially in the press...I support Iranian sovereignty, and deeply respect the will of the Iranian people. And while Iran has enthusiastically embraced elections, the long road to democracy does not end there.  It also includes fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression..."
 
In his statement on the Senate floor, Senator Kaufman mentioned instances of press restrictions in Iran such as censoring of news, confining foreign journalists to their hotel rooms, revoking of visas, and confiscation of video. He also mentioned that many Iranian journalists have faced harsh treatment such as intimidation, assault, detainment and imprisonment.  Finally, he discussed the jamming of radio transmissions and blockage of satellite broadcasts, including those of the Persian News Network and Radio Farda.  The Kaufman resolution condemns such action while supporting the journalists who have taken great risk to report on developments in Iran.
 
As a four-term member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, Sen. Kaufman has a deep commitment to international press freedom.  In honor of World Press Freedom Day, May 3, Sen. Kaufman introduced a resolution, which unanimously passed the Senate, recognizing the threats to freedom of the press and reaffirming the U.S. commitment to promoting the essential right throughout the world.
 
Full text of Sen. Kaufman's speech to introduce the resolution, as prepared for delivery, is below:

Mr. President, Senator Kyl joins me in introducing a resolution concerning freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression in Iran. In the past week, the flow of information in and out of Iran has been suppressed.  Voices in Iran have been silenced.  And the international right to freedom of expression has been restricted, especially in the press. 

I support Iranian sovereignty, and deeply respect the will of the Iranian people. And while Iran has enthusiastically embraced elections, the long road to democracy does not end there.  It also includes fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, which is protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  In 1976, Iran was one of the first countries to ratify this UN treaty, which also protects the right to hold opinions without interference, and the right to receive and impart information in writing, print, or through any other media.

Our resolution supports the Iranian people as they take steps to peacefully express their opinions and aspirations, and seek access to means of communication and news.  It expresses respect for the sovereignty, proud history, and rich culture of the Iranian people, and recognizes the universal values of freedom of speech and freedom of the press.  As President Obama said earlier this week, "the democratic process - free speech [and] the ability of people to peacefully dissent...are universal values and need to be respected."  This is the case not just in Iran, but anywhere in the world.  

Since the Iranian presidential election on June 12th, there have been increased restrictions on freedom of the press in Iran and limitations on the free flow of information.  Newspapers and news services have been censored, access for journalists has been restricted, and specific media outlets have been blocked.  Foreign journalists have had their press credentials cancelled and videos confiscated.  They have been confined to their hotels and told their visas would not be renewed.  Bureaus of foreign press agencies in Tehran have been closed, and others have been instructed to suspend all their Farsi-language news.

For Iranian journalists, the stakes have been even higher.  Numerous Iranian journalists have been detained, imprisoned, assaulted, and intimidated since the elections on June 12th. Journalists have been instructed to file stories solely from their offices, which has limited their ability to provide timely and accurate news. 

There has also been interference with international broadcasting in Iran, whether through the jamming of radio transmissions or blockage of satellite signals.  Shortwave and medium wave transmissions of the Farsi-language Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Radio Farda have been partially jammed.  And satellite broadcasts, including those of the Voice of America's Persian News Network and the British Broadcasting Corporation, have been intermittently blocked as well.  These services are widely popular in Iran, serving as a vital source of communication and entertainment, and attempts to thwart such broadcasts are shameful.

Efforts to suppress the free flow of information have not focused on the media alone.  Blogs and social networking sites have been targeted as well, including popular websites such Facebook and Twitter.  Short message service in Iran has been blocked - preventing text message communications and jamming internet sites that utilize such services - and cell phone service has been partially shut down.  These restrictions have prevented the free flow of information, and precluded Iranian citizens from communicating with each other.  Some Iranians have circumvented these restrictions through proxy websites and third-party carriers, and the Internet has served, at times, as the only outlet for communication within Iran and with the rest of the world. 
 
This resolution reinforces the universal values of freedom of speech and freedom of the press.  It supports the Iranian people as they take steps to peacefully express their voices, opinions, and aspirations.  And it condemns the detainment, imprisonment, and intimidation of all journalists, in Iran and throughout the world.

As President Obama said Tuesday, "to those people who put so much hope and energy and optimism into the political process, I would say to them that the world is watching and inspired by their participation, regardless of what the ultimate outcome of the election was." This resolution is not about the election in Iran.  Rather, it is about the fundamental right to free speech, free press, and free expression of the Iranian people.  

Thank you Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. 

View Sen. Kaufman's floor statement here.

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