Congress Passes Schwartz-Specter Resolution Encouraging The Government Of Iran To Release Detained American Hikers

Press Release

Today, October 29, 2009 the House of Representatives passed a resolution authored by U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz and Senator Arlen Specter encouraging the Government of Iran to allow detained American hikers Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd to reunite with their families in the United States as soon as possible. The resolution was cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) in the House, and in the Senate by Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Barbara Boxer (D-Ca.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.)

"For nearly three months, American hikers Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd have been detained in Iran, forbidden from having any contact with their families. Today, Congress sent a message telling the Government of Iran it is time to let these young Americans come home," said U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz.

"It's imperative that Iran act in good faith and release these three American students it has held captive for nearly three months," Congressman Maurice Hinchey said. "As the U.S. looks to sit down with Iran and have a more constructive dialogue about its nuclear program, releasing these three innocent Americans would be a good faith gesture to move talks in the right direction. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives spoke in a unified voice by passing this resolution that calls on Iran to do the right thing and let these three Americans come home."

"Based on news accounts I have read, I have every confidence that the three entered Iranian territory accidentally," Senator Arlen Specter said. "It is my sincere hope that the Government of Iran quickly comes to this conclusion and releases the hikers so they can be reunited with their families in the United States at the earliest opportunity."

The text of the resolution follows below:

S. CON. RES. 45

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Encouraging the Government of Iran to allow Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd to reunite with their families in the United States as soon as possible.

Whereas, on July 31, 2009, officials of the Government of Iran took 3 United States citizens, Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd, into custody near the Ahmed Awa region of northern Iraq, after the 3 United States citizens reportedly crossed into the territory of Iran while hiking in Iraq;

Whereas officials of the Government of Iran have confirmed that they are holding the 3 United States citizens; and

Whereas officials of the Government of Iran have allowed consular access by the Embassy of the Government of Switzerland (in its formal capacity as the representative of the interests of the United States in Iran) to the 3 young United States citizens in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, done at Vienna April 24, 1963:

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 2 concurring), That Congress--encourages the Government of Iran to allow Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd to communicate by telephone with their families in the 6 United States; and encourages the Government of Iran to allow Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd to 9 reunite with their families in the United States as soon as possible.

Schwartz spoke earlier this week on the House floor to strongly encourage her colleagues in the House to vote in support

U.S. Rep. Schwartz's full floor speech follows directly below:

"Madam Speaker, I rise in support of three young American citizens who have been detained by the Government of Iran for nearly 3 months now.

"On July 31, 2009, Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd were taken into custody after purportedly crossing into the Iranian territory while hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan. It is a peaceful region of northern Iraq which has become increasingly popular as a hiking destination for many Westerners. During the hike, it seems they accidentally crossed over an unmarked border into Iran.

"As a result, these three young Americans, all graduates of the University of California-Berkley, have since been detained in Iran. While Swiss diplomats were finally permitted access to Josh, Sarah and Shane on September 29, the three have still not been allowed to have any contact with their families.

"In response to this action, I have sponsored in the House--and Senator Arlen Specter has spearheaded in the Senate--Senate Concurrent Resolution 45, which encourages the Government of Iran to allow Josh, Shane and Sarah to communicate by telephone with their families in the United States. More importantly, it also encourages the Government of Iran to allow them to reunite with their families here in the United States as soon as possible.

"This resolution was unanimously passed by the Senate on October 6.

"Josh, whose family is from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, which I represent; Sarah; and Shane did not commit any malicious acts. They were three young Americans who have traveled extensively throughout the world seeking to learn about different societies and different cultures. Unfortunately, they made a single mistake: They got lost. For that they have been held for nearly 3 months with almost no contact with the outside world.

"As a mother, I can well imagine the pain and frustration the families of the three young adults feel as they wait, hoping, doing all that they can but with little power to compel action by Iran to free their children. I know, especially through my conversations with Mrs. Fattal, how important this resolution is to them and their families.

"I urge the Government of Iran to reunite Josh, Sarah, and Shane with their families, and I ask my colleagues to support this concurrent resolution and the strong but compassionate plea for action that it contains."

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