To provide support for democracy in Iran.

May 19, 2003

Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. COLEMAN, Mr. SANTORUM, and Mr. CAMPBELL) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

To provide support for democracy in Iran.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. IRAN DEMOCRACY ACT.

This Act may be cited as the `Iran Democracy Act'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) There is currently not a democratic government in Iran. Instead, Iran is an ideological dictatorship presided over by an unelected Supreme Leader with limitless veto power, an unelected Expediency Council, and Council of Guardians capable of eviscerating any reforms, and a President elected only after the Council disqualified 234 other candidates for being too liberal, reformist, or secular.

(2) The April 2003 report of the Department of State states that Iran remained the most active state sponsor of terrorism in 2002.

(3) That report also states that Iran continues to provide funding, safehaven, training, and weapons to known terrorist groups, notably Hizballah, HAMAS, the Palestine Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

(4) Human rights have failed to improve in Iran under the pseudo-reformers. Torture, executions after unfair trials, and censorship of all media remain rampant throughout the country. Stoning and beheading are used as methods of punishment.

SEC. 3. POLICY.

It is the policy of the United States to--

(1) support transparent, full democracy in Iran;

(2) support an internationally-monitored referendum in Iran by which the Iranian people can peacefully change the system of government in Iran;

(3) support the aspirations of the Iranian people to live in freedom; and

(4) help the Iranian people achieve a free press and build an open, democratic, and free society.

SEC. 4. RADIO FARDA REFORM.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Broadcasting Board of Governors shall--

(1) require the head of Radio Farda to develop programming for Radio Farda, after consulting with--

(A) Iranian-Americans and other Iranian exiles who--

(i) support a referendum described in section 3(2); and

(ii) oppose the current Government of Iran; and

(B) the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) at the Department of State and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the Department of State; and

(2) ensure that a significant percentage of the programming on Radio Farda is devoted to discussing democratic change in Iran including an internationally-monitored democratic referendum in Iran as described in section 3(2).

(b) TRANSLATIONS OF WRITTEN AND VIDEO MATERIALS FOR THE IRANIAN PEOPLE-

(1) REQUIREMENT- The MEPI and ECA shall provide grants to appropriate entities to create and maintain websites, translate and distribute books, videos, documents, and other materials on democracy, rule of law free market economics, and related topics.

(2) CONSULTATION- The MEPI and ECA shall consult with nongovernmental entities and with Iranian-American opposition groups that support the holding of an internationally-monitored referendum in Iran as described in section 3(2) to select materials to be translated into Persian.

(c) IRAN DEMOCRACY SUPPORT INITIATIVE-

(1) AUTHORITY- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the MEPI and ECA are authorized to award grants to an eligible entity for the purpose of funding programs and activities to promote a democratic referendum in Iran.

(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY- The following persons are eligible for grants under paragraph (1):

(A) A person who provides radio or television broadcasting into Iran that includes programming intended to promote an internationally-monitored democratic referendum in Iran.

(B) A person who is working to promote the holding of an internationally-monitored referendum in Iran, as described in section 3(2).

(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not less than 10 percent of the funds appropriated to the International Broadcasting Operations account for fiscal year 2004 shall be made available to carry out the provisions of this Act.

END