Skip to main content

McCaul statement on introduction of H.Con.Res.159, legislation regarding the 1988 Iran Massacre

September 22, 2016

WASHINTON, DC.– Yesterday, following the introduction of a bipartisan resolution highlighting the 1988 massacre of thousands of Iranians deemed political opponents of the brutal, oppressive regime in Iran, Congressman McCaul and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliott Engel (D-NY) released the following statements.

McCaul: “For decades, the regime in Iran has refused to acknowledge this massacre,” said Rep. McCaul. “Furthermore, many involved in this massacre in 1988 still hold high-level positions within the government of Iran, including the current justice minister. We must hold those responsible for these atrocities accountable and reinvigorate our opposition to the gross abuses of human rights in Iran that still go on today.”

Engel: “I’m proud to be part of the bipartisan effort to spotlight these atrocious killings in 1988,” said Rep. Engel. “This is not ancient history, and those responsible must be brought to justice. This resolution will put the Iranian leadership on notice that the world does not forget about such gross violations of human rights.”

According to Amnesty International, Iran was responsible for the execution of an estimated 4,500 to 5,000 men, women and children in the summer of 1988. However, the true number of dead remains unknown. To this day, the Iranian government refuses to be transparent with the families of the victims of this massacre.

This resolution was introduced on September 21, 2016 by Representative McCaul and includes Reps. Engel and Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as original cosponsors.