[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 26 (Thursday, February 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 SUPPORTING MOVEMENTS FOR FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 1995
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that today 
Iranians who hope for freedom and democracy in their own country stood 
at the Capitol Building of the United States--a symbol of democracy and 
freedom for millions of people all over the world--to remember that 16 
years ago this Saturday the dreams and hopes for democracy and freedom 
in Iran were destroyed with the creation of the Islamic Republic of 
Iran.
  Since then Iran has unleashed a reign of terror from the streets of 
Tehran to nations all over the world. Through their support, 
encouragement and perpetuation of international terrorism the Islamic 
Republic of Iran has burdened, maimed and stolen the lives of innocent 
citizens of the world community. In the last 16 years, the Iranian 
Government has held hostage United States, British, French and other 
foreign nationals. The government continues to hold its own entire 
nation hostage with millions of people paralyzed due to fear of 
imprisonment, torture and death.
  The Iranian Government has one of the worst human rights records in 
the world. They have no desire to join the international community as 
nations move toward democratic reform and greater freedom and 
protection of human rights.
  In Iran today there is a complete disregard for the dignity of human 
life. We can see this clearly in the area of religious liberty. A 
Shari'a court has ruled that the members of the minority Bahai 
community are ``unprotected infidels,'' not worthy of legal 
protections. They are described as ``misguided'' and the Iranian 
Government persecutes them in an effort to ``purify'' Islam.
  The Christian minorities were shaken last year with the tragic deaths 
of Bishop Haik Mehr, Mehdi Dibaj, and Tateos Michaelian. All three were 
giants in Iran's small but vibrant Christian community. Eight converts 
from Islam were beaten and tortured in an effort to make them deny 
their Christian faith.
  United States resident Hassan Shahjamali, a Christian visiting his 
family in Iran, was detained by security police and held incommunicado 
for several days last May. Only after the international community 
loudly protested and called for his release did the Iranian Government 
finally release him and allow him to return to the United States.
  The Iranian Government's support of terrorism world wide has 
unleashed a wave of violence and fear. Each year thousands have died 
because of Iranian supported terrorist activities. Murders and bombings 
in Germany, Turkey, Switzerland, and Argentina; the direct attack on 
Americans on Pan Am Flight 103, at the United States Marine Barracks in 
Beirut and the bombing of the World Trade Center have all been traced 
to Teheran.
  Yet after 16 years of terror, and repression; after 16 years of 
brutality and systematic abuse, the spirit of the real Iranian people 
lives on. Thousands of Iranian believers have not given up their dream 
of freedom and democracy. They continue to raise their voices and they 
challenge us to do the same.
  Just days before his death last January Bishop Haik Mehr predicted 
his martyrdom. As he departed a conference in Pakistan in December he 
told Brother Andrew, the champion of religious freedom, justice, and 
tolerance that ``when they kill me it will not be because of my 
silence.'' On January 20, 1994 Bishop Haik's body was found. He had 
been tortured before he was killed. He knew the risks if he acted on 
his convictions--and he paid the price.
  Today we stand with Bishop Mehr and the thousands of others of all 
faiths and walks of life who have raised their voices for freedom and 
justice in Iran. We honor them by supporting freedom, democracy and 
justice. We, too, look to a day when Iran will be free. Only then will 
the world have an opportunity for peace and stability, free from the 
fear of terrorism and tyranny.


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