[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 109 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 109

 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the ongoing persecution of 
                 13 members of Iran's Jewish community.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 4, 2000

 Mr. Schumer (for himself, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Smith of 
 Oregon, and Mr. Dodd) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
                   which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the ongoing persecution of 
                 13 members of Iran's Jewish community.

Whereas on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover 1999, 13 Jews, including 
        community and religious leaders in the cities of Shiraz and Isfahan, 
        were arrested by the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and 
        accused of spying for the United States and Israel;
Whereas three of 13 defendants were tried in the first week in May 2000, in 
        trials that were closed to all independent journalists, outside media, 
        international observers, and family members;
Whereas no evidence was brought forth at these trials other than taped 
        ``confessions'', and no formal charges have yet been filed;
Whereas Jews in Iran are prohibited from holding any positions that would give 
        them access to state secrets;
Whereas the judge in the case also serves as prosecutor, chief investigator, and 
        arbiter of punishment;
Whereas United States Secretary of State Albright has identified the case of the 
        13 Jews in Shiraz as ``one of the barometers of United States-Iran 
        relations'';
Whereas countless nations and leading international human rights organizations 
        have expressed their concern for the 13 Iranian Jews and especially 
        their human rights under the rule of law;
Whereas President Mohammad Khatami was elected on a platform of moderation and 
        reform;
Whereas the United States has recently made goodwill overtures toward Iran, 
        including lifting restrictions on the import of Iranian foodstuffs and 
        crafts, promising steps toward the return of assets frozen since 1979, 
        and easing travel restrictions, all in an attempt to improve relations 
        between the two countries;
Whereas the World Bank is currently considering two Iranian projects, valued at 
        more than $130,000,000, which have been on hold since 1993; and
Whereas Iran must show signs of respecting fundamental human rights as a 
        prerequisite for improving its relationship with the United States and 
        becoming a member in good standing of the world community: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that the President should--
            (1) condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the arrest of 
        the 13 Iranian Jews and the unfair procedures employed against 
        them leading up to, and during, their trials, and demand their 
        immediate release; and
            (2) make it clear that--
                    (A) Iran's treatment of the Jews on trial is a 
                benchmark for determining the nature of current and 
                future United States-Iran relations, and that 
                concessions already made may be rescinded in light of 
                Iran's conduct of these cases; and
                    (B) the outcome of these cases will help determine 
                Iran's standing in the community of nations, and its 
                eligibility for loans and other financial assistance 
                from international financial institutions.
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