PAAIA Urges Congress to Pass MAHSA Act
Washington, DC – The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), a non-profit, non-partisan organization that serves the interests of Iranian Americans and represents the community before U.S. policymakers and the American public, today announces its support for the MAHSA Act (Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability Act), which has just been reintroduced with bipartisan support in the 118th Congress.
The bipartisan MAHSA Act imposes sanctions on the Supreme Leader of Iran, the President of Iran, and their offices for their horrific track record of rampant human rights abuses and support for terrorism, especially in response to the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising. Specifically, the MAHSA Act codifies Executive Order (E.O.) 13876, which sanctioned the Iranian Supreme Leader’s Office and inner circle, and also mandates sanctions under the authorities of E.O. 13553 (human rights abuses by the Iranian government) and E.O. 13224 (counterterrorism).
The Iranian regime’s gross human rights violations are clear. In response to the growing Woman, Life, Freedom uprising, regime forces have violently repressed free speech, injured and even executed protesters, and repeatedly blocked access to communications services. The MAHSA Act is a crucial step in holding the regime’s leaders accountable for human rights abuses.
PAAIA supports a multi-pronged approach with bipartisan legislation that stands with the aspirations of the people of Iran for human rights and democracy.
