Urging the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately release three young American vacationers, Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd, who have been detained since July 31, 2009.

WHEREAS, Mr. Fattal, Mr. Bauer and Ms. Shourd, are being unjustly detained by Iranian authorities without access to their attorney; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Fattal is a native of Philadelphia and his family still lives in the area; and

WHEREAS, Their protracted detention for the alleged violation of crossing into Iranian territory is unwarranted; and

WHEREAS, They were on a brief vacation to enjoy the natural beauty of Iraqi Kurdistan; and

WHEREAS, It is abundantly obvious from the public record that they have no links to the US intelligence community; and

WHEREAS, They have been systematically denied regular contact with their families and due process of law; and

WHEREAS, The Iranian government appears intent upon using these innocent people as hostages for political leverage with the United States; and

WHEREAS, The detention of the three young Americans has already lasted much longer than what is humane and reasonable and has exacted a terrible toll on the vacationers and their families; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY PHILADELPHIA, That we emphatically urge the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran to demonstrate the Islamic values of justice and compassion and immediately release Mr. Fattal, Mr. Bauer and Ms. Shourd.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mohammad Khazaee, Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations.

End