Senator McCain Message:
I’m honored to have been invited to the 2014 international convention for democracy. And I send my deep regrets that I’m unable to attend. This is an important time to be discussing prospects for democracy and the protection of fundamental human rights in Iran. We cannot allow the negotiations over a nuclear agreement overshadow the human rights situation in Iran that grows worse and worse each day.
The people of Iran continue to face severe and systematic abuses of their civil, political and economic, social and cultural rights. And as the Iranian regime continues to suppress the rights of its citizens, it fosters instability throughout the region and sponsors terrorism across the globe. More must be done to comprehensively address the challenges posed by the Iranian regime and counter the threat their dangerous actions pose.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp1lFK9j_6s
It’s vitally important the United States do more to assist the residents of Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty. The United States government gave a promise of protection to the residents of Camp Ashraf in return for their decision to lay down their arms. We must recognize that the United States has a responsibility to fulfill this guarantee and ensure that our failed promise does not become a stain on the reputation of the United States of America.
Thank you all for being here, for your dedication to a just cause, I encourage all of you to continue your fight for democracy and human rights not only in Iran but across the globe. I promise I will never give up until everyone in Camp Ashraf and Liberty are free to go wherever they want, hopefully many to the United States of America.