[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 59 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      IRAN: RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

                                 ______


                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 1994

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, the Iranian government remains 
one of the most resistant nations to cooperating with the international 
community in regard to human rights. Although a signatory to all of the 
United Nations conventions on human rights, the Iranian Government 
continues to regularly abuse the rights of its citizens, especially 
women and minorities, refuses to allow international organizations 
access to monitor human rights or to investigate reports of abuse, and 
seeks exemption from international standards because of differences in 
culture and religion.
  Human rights organizations report that Iran's compliance with 
international standards on human rights is, at best, poor. And while 
conditions are bad within Iran, its influence is being felt beyond the 
borders of that nation. Freedom House, in the annual ``Survey of 
Freedom'' reports that ``the growing economic resources of a growing 
number of the most repressive states--Iran among them--also permit 
these tyrannies to exert greater influence in the global vacuum.'' With 
Shi'a Muslim clerics and laymen closely aligned with them in complete 
control of the government, Shari'a law is imposed on all people, with 
little, if any, concessions made for minorities. The prescription of 
every facet of life--public and private--is mandated by the government.
  The Baha'i minority has been a target of discrimination in Iran due 
to government policies that prevent them gaining access to government 
positions, employment and even education. A 1991 document denies 
education and employment to people who identify themselves as Baha'i. A 
bill which bars people from government employment from members of 
``deviant groups whose constitution is based on the denial of divine 
religions'' is used against the Baha'is who are considered apostates. 
This law is also used against other dissident and minority groups.
  In a reprehensible action last year, the Iranian government allowed 
the desecration of a Baha'i cemetery in order to build a cultural 
center. Although the international community expressed outrage over 
this action, the government did nothing to stop the desecration.
  To show the complete disregard of human life, especially when it is 
the life of a Baha'i, a Shari'a court fined a Muslim driver who killed 
Baha'i and injured another 10,000 tumans for ``neglecting driving rules 
and regulations.'' Charges of manslaughter were dismissed when it was 
ruled that the Baha'is were ``unprotected infidels'' and not worthy of 
legal protections.
  The Christian minority, although recognized constitutionally, are 
targeted for discrimination and persecution as well. This is true 
especially when conversion from Islam to Christianity is concerned. In 
a well documented and highly publicized case, Mehdi Dibaj, a convert to 
Christianity already sentenced to life in prison, was scheduled for 
execution earlier this year because of his conversion. He had already 
spent 10 years in prison, 2 of them in solitary confinement, ``living 
in an unlighted cell measuring 3 feet by 3 feet.'' It was also reported 
that he had been systematically tortured since 1983. Bravely, Bishop 
Haik Mehr, alerted the international community about this case and 
urged them to speak out. Many members of the House joined me in 
petitioning the Iranian government on behalf of Mehdi Dibaj. Dibaj was 
released on January 16, but was forced to sign a statement that he 
would report to the local officials when they required it. His release 
is not unconditional, his sentence has not been waived, and there are 
still charges of spying pending against him. Shortly after Dibaj's 
release Bishop Haik disappeared and only after international pressure 
did the Iranian government release the details of his death. Haik died 
because he opposed policies of the Iranian government, and focused 
international attention on Iran's deplorable human rights conditions.

  Since learning of the death of Bishop Haik, there has been more 
information concerning the persecution of Christian minorities, and 
especially the harsh treatment which converts from Islam receive. It 
has been reported that eight converts from Islam in the city of Gorgan 
were beaten for several hours until they denied their faith in Christ. 
Many churches report that their pastors have been interrogated and 
threatened. Non-Muslim shopkeepers are required to post notices about 
their religious affiliation.
  In January President Hashemi-Rafsanjani said that this year there 
would be an ``escalation of the Islamist's Holy War against the 
Christian community'' and that ``this year might be the last Christmas 
celebrated in Teheran.''
  Women and children, especially those who are members of religious 
minorities enjoy even less protection. Women's rights are regularly 
violated. Laws regarding dress, based on Shari'a laws, are enforced on 
women of all religious and ethnic backgrounds. Domestic violence 
against women is known, but it is considered a private family matter 
and women have no recourse in this matter.
  The Iranian Government remains resistant to pressures to protect the 
rights of minorities, women and children. It violates international 
standards of human rights across the board--standards to which it has 
agreed, but which it does little to support or encourage within its 
borders. It is particularly frightening that these attitudes are now 
being exported to other parts of the world. Intolerance toward 
minorities, toward those whose beliefs differ from our own must not be 
allowed to spread. When this intolerance leads to violence against 
people, we must not only speak out, we must take action to protect the 
rights of people who are defenseless against fanatical organizations 
bent on the destruction of those whose beliefs differ from their own.

                          ____________________