Drafter
Clerk 07/28/2009
Title
A MOTION stating King County's support for the people of Iran, for human rights and for fair elections.
Body
WHEREAS, the world's first declaration of human rights was written by Cyrus the Great, an Iranian emperor in 539 B.C. and this declaration granted all men and women social, economic, and religious freedom, abolished slavery, established a universal bill of rights and an impartial judiciary and guaranteed equal rights for women, and
WHEREAS, it is ironic to see that the current-day successor to that government now denies its people the most basic of human rights, liberties and freedoms, and
WHEREAS, Iran has recently undergone a national election process which has resulted in allegations of massive election fraud, mass demonstrations, challenges and protests, and
WHEREAS, the Iranian government has expelled virtually all representatives of the international media and the Iranian people have utilized the internet to share photographs, videos and firsthand accounts of the violent government response to peaceful protestors, and
WHEREAS, citizens of the United States believe that all individuals have certain inalienable rights as expressed in the United States Declaration of Independence and assured in the constitution, amongst them being "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness," and
WHEREAS, King County affirms the universality of individual rights and the importance of democratic and fair elections, concepts that are consistent with the founding fathers vision of this great nation, and
WHEREAS, King County has a large community of residents of Iranian origin;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. King County hereby expresses support for all the citizens of Iran who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law, and
B. King County condemns the Iranian government's violations of human rights, its election fraud and its lack of respect for international obligations, and
C. King County condemns the ongoing violence by the government of Iran against its people, the unlawful detention of political prisoners, the threats to execute protestors and the suppression of civil rights and freedom of the press, as well as the
ongoing interference with independent electronic communications within and outside Iran.