Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Antonia Aguilar - University Of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

On Thursday, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) along with Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Evan Bayh (D-IN) and John Kyl (R-AZ) introduced the Iran Human Rights Sanctions Act. The legislation is designed to help stabilize and secure the human rights of Iranian citizens, and to publicize and punish abusers.

“We Americans have an obligation to assist morally and materially that effort for freedom and democracy,” said McCain.

The bill would require President Barack Obama to compile a publicized list of Iranian human rights offenders to bring international public awareness to their crimes, discouraging business and financial relations with any organization. Secondly, the bill would punish offenders under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act,
banning offenders from obtaining U.S. visas and freezing any assets within U.S. jurisdiction, as well as terminating all financial transactions with all U.S. banks and organizations.

“Its about standing up for the universal values we hold dear and championing the cause of all who seek to secure those values for themselves,” said McCain.