H.Res. 183 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 183 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 25, 2013 Mr. Rohrabacher submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Broadcasting Board of Governors should broadcast and direct Azeri language content into the Islamic Republic of Iran and Baloch language content into the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Whereas the ethnic Azeri and Baloch peoples compose 18 percent of the population of Iran; Whereas the Azeri and Baloch minorities have maintained proud and distinctive cultures and identities dating back to ancient times; Whereas the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty currently broadcast to Iran in the Persian language; Whereas the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty currently operate Azeri language services; Whereas it is in the national interest of the United States for accurate and credible news to reach all the ethnic groups in Iran and Pakistan; Whereas it is believed the area inhabited by the Baloch people holds a large reserve of oil, natural gas, gold, and other minerals and comprises 1,000 miles of strategically significant coast line from the Persian Gulf and along the Arabian Sea; Whereas the Governments of Iran and Pakistan systematically repress human rights, political expression, and civil society activists which has been reported by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International; Whereas the Government of Pakistan has refused to recognize the legitimate national aspirations of the Balochi people and has carried out a campaign of politically motivated murders and followed a policy known as Kill and Dump where Baloch activists are kidnapped and their bodies are later found in public, often mutilated; Whereas the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran found that the Sistan-Balochistan is arguably the most underdeveloped region in Iran, with the highest poverty, infant and child mortality rates, and lowest life expectancy and literacy rates in the country; Whereas the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran reports that Baloch activists have reportedly been subject to arbitrary arrests and torture; Whereas the Government of Iran prevents the Balochi or Azeri languages from being used in formal and public places; Whereas the Baloch minority in Iran is mostly Sunni Muslim and subject to religious persecution by the ruling Shia theocracy; Whereas all the people of Iran and Pakistan have the right of self-determination, to choose their form of government, and to elect their leaders; and Whereas it is the policy of the United States to oppose aggression and the violation of human rights inherent in the subjugation of national groups like the Azeris in Iran and Baloch in Iran and Pakistan: Now, therefore, be it That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the Broadcasting Board of Governors should broadcast and direct Azeri language content into the Islamic Republic of Iran and Baloch language content into the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.