OIAC Introduces Its Policy Priorities for 2016 General Elections to Iranian-American Communities
WASHINGTON, August 15, 2016 – Inspired by more than a century of struggle for freedom and democracy in our homeland, Iran, and mindful that “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” the independent and non-partisan Organization of Iranian-American Communities-US (OIAC), invites Iranian-Americans to cast their votes in the historic and consequential 2016 elections with the recognition that:
Protection of civil liberties and assurance of civil rights, particularly in case of women, immigrants, minorities, and the disadvantaged; social, economic, and cultural justice; access to quality education and health care system; immigration laws; the threat of climate change; advancement of science and innovation; and strong leadership in national security and foreign policy; are critical to the well-being of Iranian-Americans and the future generations.
OIAC calls on Iranian-Americans to also consider each candidate’s positions on the policy of United States vis-à-vis the Iranian regime. Iran’s domestic and foreign policies have and continue to be focused on establishing and preserving a theocratic empire which poses a direct threat to the people of Iran, the United States, and world peace. OIAC believes that an effective and meaningful US policy toward Iran should, at a minimum, include the following components:
- Support for Human Rights: Iran is a major and persistent violator of human rights of its citizens particularly women, youths, journalists, religious and ethnic minorities. Some 120,000 dissidents have been executed in Iran in the past 37 years, including nearly 30,000 political prisoners massacred in a span of several months in 1988. The rate of executions has increased dramatically during Hassan Rouhani’s tenure. Indeed, the regime in Tehran is the leading per capita executioner of its own citizens in the world today and as such must be held accountable.
- Defeating the Threat of Terrorism: Designated as the most active “state sponsor of terrorism” by the US government since 1984, Tehran continues to use terrorism as a major tool of advancing its foreign policy and destabilizing the Middle East. The Iranian regime’s spreading of terror and extremism presents a major threat to peace and stability in this volatile region and to US national security; it is as dangerous as its nuclear weapons program and must be dealt with decisively and urgently.
- Removing the Nuclear Threat: Another strategic pillar of Iran’s foreign policy, complementing its human rights abuses and sponsorship of terrorism, is its nuclear weapons program. The nuclear deal has pushed back Iran’s nuclear program, albeit temporarily, but has left the program’s infrastructure essentially intact. With the view that only a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear Iran will permanently remove this danger, the focus must now be directed at putting in place an airtight monitoring and verification mechanism to prevent Tehran from cheating, as it has done over the past three decades.
- Support for a Democratic Future in Iran: The cancer of Islamic fundamentalism in Iran and the region will not be removed until and unless the regime in Iran is replaced by a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear republic. Successive US administrations, both Republican and Democrat, for years tried to engage Iran by offering concessions and ignoring its transgressions in hopes of moderating its behavior. That policy has clearly failed. While underscoring that a foreign military intervention is not the answer either, we believe the United States should recognize the aspirations of Iranian people for a free and democratic future as the only effective and viable policy.
OIAC is the largest, most active, and enduring grass root organization of Iranian-Americans with local chapters in 40 states. Our members have a range of political and party affiliations but unified in the belief that democracy and human rights in Iran, are imperative to the national security of America and peace in the Middle East and beyond.
Organization of Iranian-American Communities-US (OIAC-US) Launches 2016 General Elections Mobilization Effort
Washington DC- August 1, 2016 – With the closing of Democratic and Republican national conventions, the Organization of Iranian-American Communities-US (OIACUS), as the largest, most active and enduring grass root organization of Iranian-Americans in the United States, calls on the Iranian-Americans to actively and enthusiastically participate in the 2016 elections. OIAC-US considers these elections as one of the most historic and consequential elections since its inception.
Iranian-Americans have benefited from long held values that have been enablers of our success in America and motivate our continued interest in our native land’s disposition. We recognize America is facing both challenges and opportunities in many areas such as the criminal justice system, education, immigration, the economy, the environment, foreign policy, and science and innovation. Our native land, Iran, meanwhile, continues to see escalated human rights violations, systematic and systemic suppression of women and youth, terror and crimes in the name of Islam, and harassment and censorship of journalists and press. OIAC –US believes it is the Iranian-Americans’ civic and moral obligation to contribute to solutions and as such must have a voice in the 2016 elections.
The diverse political views amongst the OIAC-US members are indeed our strength. We take pride and celebrate all of our local and national efforts during the primary elections. We will take the same energy, focus, and enthusiasm to the general elections. We are, however, unified in the belief that democracy and human rights in Iran are imperative to the national security of America and peace in the Middle East and beyond.
OIAC-US takes pride in its duty to address the promotion of a democratic secular and non-nuclear government in Iran; founded on the respect for human rights, gender equality, religious and ethnic tolerance, as wells as social, economic justice, and security for America. By launching its nationwide effort, OIAC-US will encourage Iranian-Americans to fulfill their civic duty through active engagement in the 2016 general elections to help inform candidates of our communities’ policy priorities.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — With the closing of Democratic and Republican national conventions, the Organization of Iranian-American Communities-US (OIACUS), as the largest, most active and enduring grass root organization of Iranian-Americans in the United States, calls on the Iranian-Americans to actively and enthusiastically participate in the 2016 elections. OIAC-US considers these elections as one of the most historic and consequential elections since its inception.
Iranian-Americans have benefited from long held values that have been enablers of our success in America and motivate our continued interest in our native land’s disposition. We recognize America is facing both challenges and opportunities in many areas such as the criminal justice system, education, immigration, the economy, the environment, foreign policy, and science and innovation. Our native land, Iran, meanwhile, continues to see escalated human rights violations, systematic and systemic suppression of women and youth, terror and crimes in the name of Islam, and harassment and censorship of journalists and press. OIAC –US believes it is the Iranian-Americans’ civic and moral obligation to contribute to solutions and as such must have a voice in the 2016 elections.
The diverse political views amongst the OIAC-US members are indeed our strength. We take pride and celebrate all of our local and national efforts during the primary elections. We will take the same energy, focus, and enthusiasm to the general elections. We are, however, unified in the belief that democracy and human rights in Iran are imperative to the national security of America and peace in the Middle East and beyond.
OIAC-US takes pride in its duty to address the promotion of a democratic secular and non-nuclear government in Iran; founded on the respect for human rights, gender equality, religious and ethnic tolerance, as wells as social, economic justice, and security for America. By launching its nationwide effort, OIAC-US will encourage Iranian-Americans to fulfill their civic duty through active engagement in the 2016 general elections to help inform candidates of our communities’ policy priorities.
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160712/389600LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/organization-of-iranian-american-communities-us-oiac-us-launches-2016-general-elections-mobilization-effort-300306720.html
SOURCE Organization of Iranian American Communities – U.S. (OIACUS)
Organization of Iranian-American Communities-US (OIAC-US) Launches 2016 General Elections Mobilization Effort
Published: Aug 1, 2016 9:00 a.m. ET
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — With the closing of Democratic and Republican national conventions, the Organization of Iranian-American Communities-US (OIACUS), as the largest, most active and enduring grass root organization of Iranian-Americans in the United States, calls on the Iranian-Americans to actively and enthusiastically participate in the 2016 elections. OIAC-US considers these elections as one of the most historic and consequential elections since its inception.
Iranian-Americans have benefited from long held values that have been enablers of our success in America and motivate our continued interest in our native land’s disposition. We recognize America is facing both challenges and opportunities in many areas such as the criminal justice system, education, immigration, the economy, the environment, foreign policy, and science and innovation. Our native land, Iran, meanwhile, continues to see escalated human rights violations, systematic and systemic suppression of women and youth, terror and crimes in the name of Islam, and harassment and censorship of journalists and press. OIAC –US believes it is the Iranian-Americans’ civic and moral obligation to contribute to solutions and as such must have a voice in the 2016 elections.
The diverse political views amongst the OIAC-US members are indeed our strength. We take pride and celebrate all of our local and national efforts during the primary elections. We will take the same energy, focus, and enthusiasm to the general elections. We are, however, unified in the belief that democracy and human rights in Iran are imperative to the national security of America and peace in the Middle East and beyond.
OIAC-US takes pride in its duty to address the promotion of a democratic secular and non-nuclear government in Iran; founded on the respect for human rights, gender equality, religious and ethnic tolerance, as wells as social, economic justice, and security for America. By launching its nationwide effort, OIAC-US will encourage Iranian-Americans to fulfill their civic duty through active engagement in the 2016 general elections to help inform candidates of our communities’ policy priorities.
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160712/389600LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/organization-of-iranian-american-communities-us-oiac-us-launches-2016-general-elections-mobilization-effort-300306720.html
SOURCE Organization of Iranian American Communities – U.S. (OIACUS)
http://markets.financialcontent.com/mi.sacbee/news/read/32578804/Organization_of_Iranian
http://markets.financialcontent.com/mi.miamiherald/news/read/32578804/Organization_of_Iranian
http://markets.financialcontent.com/mi.charlotte/news/read/32578804
http://markets.financialcontent.com/mi.startelegram/news/read/32578804/Organization_of_Iranian
http://www.nbc12.com/story/32587137/organization-of-iranian-american-communities-us-oiac-us-launches-2016-general-elections-mobilization-effort
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https://oiac.org/category/blog/
https://oiac.org/statement-from-senator-chuck-schumer-d-ny-2016-paris-rally-for-freeiran/
