Special to WorldTribune.com

By withholding a report on Iran’s human rights abuses, likely due to ongoing nuclear negotiations, the Obama administration is “willfully violating federal law,” said Sen. Ted Cruz.

The Texas Republican and 2016 GOP presidential hopeful, who is calling for its release, said the report is likely being delayed because the administration does not want to upset Iran during nuclear negotiations. The deadline for a final nuclear deal is June 30.

“It appears that both President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry are trying to sweep under the rug Iran’s horrific human rights record because, presumably, acknowledging that fact would be inconvenient,” Cruz said.

Obama’s policy appears to “surrender everything to the Iranian mullahs in a hope they will accede to a [nuclear deal that only accelerates their acquiring nuclear weapons,” Cruz said.

Cruz has called for the State Department to be fined for withholding a report it was legally obligated to release by Feb 25.

“That report was due by law on February 25,” Cruz told the Washington Free Beacon. “The Obama State Department simply ignored the law. They refused to produce the report. Months have gone by and they continue to refuse to produce the report.”

In May, Cruz joined other senators in petitioning the State Department to release the report as required by federal law. According to the Free Beacon, Cruz said he would seek to fine the State Department 5 percent of its budget for every 30 days the release of the report is delayed.

“It is a penalty for willfully violating federal law,” Cruz said. “This is also a policy decision that is profoundly counterproductive.

“This simply puts a financial bite into the obligation because the Obama administration has demonstrated a willingness over and over again to violate federal law.”

Human rights advocates say Iran continues to carry out hundreds of state-sanctioned executions and also continues to imprison several American citizens who they say are being abused.

  Cruz demands release of ‘inconvenient’ State Dept. rights report on Iran, Iran human rights abuses, Obama administration, WorldTribune.com