[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SUPPORT BAHA'IS IN IRAN

                                 ______


                        HON. JOHN EDWARD PORTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 1995

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday September 20, I introduced the 
``Baha'i Resolution'' which condemns Iran's ongoing repression of its 
Baha'i community. American Baha'is, who reside in every congressional 
district, are deeply concerned for the fate of more than 300,000 co-
religionists in Iran. The survival of the Baha'i community is 
threatened by the regime's denial of legal recognition and the basic 
rights to organize, elect community leaders, educate their youth and 
conduct the normal activities of a law-abiding community.
  Since 1982, the U.S. Congress has adopted six resolutions expressing 
its concern for Iran's religious persecution of Baha'is. There is good 
evidence that these congressional resolutions, together with appeals by 
other nations and the United Nations have helped to persuade Iranian 
officials to moderate their actions against Baha'is. During the 1980's, 
more than 200 Baha'is were executed and thousands imprisoned solely on 
the account of their religious beliefs.
  While it is encouraging that the Iranian Government has not continued 
its barbarous policy of executing people simply for their religious 
beliefs, the ongoing repression of the Baha'i community continues and 
must be changed. Baha'is are currently being held under sentence of 
death merely because of their religious beliefs. It is imperative that 
we keep pressure on the Iranian officials until Baha'i community is no 
longer threatened by this repressive government.
  The following honorable Members of Congress have already co-sponsored 
this legislation: Lantos, Smith, Hoyer, Hamilton, Hyde, Obestar, Meek, 
Williams, Gejdenson, Schiff, Ney, Klug, Durban, Morella, Roybal-Allard, 
Kilder, Miller, Pelosi, Spratt, Slaughter, Bateman, McKinney, Engel, 
Abercrombie, and Brown. I am inserting into the record a copy of the 
resolution, and I urge my colleges to join me in support of this 
resolution.

                            H. Con. Res. 102

       Whereas in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1994 the 
     Congress, by concurrent resolution, declared that it holds 
     the Government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights 
     of all its nationals, including members of the Baha'i Faith, 
     Iran's largest religious minority;
       Whereas the Congress has deplored the Government of Iran's 
     religious persecution of the Baha'i community in such 
     resolutions and in numerous other appeals, and has condemned 
     Iran's execution of more than 200 Baha'is and the 
     imprisonment of thousands of others solely on account of 
     their religious beliefs;
       Whereas the Government of Iran continues to deny individual 
     Baha'is access to higher education and government employment 
     and denies recognition and religious rights to the Baha'i 
     community, according to the policy set forth in a 
     confidential Iranian Government document which was revealed 
     by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1993;
       Whereas all Baha'i community properties in Iran have been 
     confiscated by the government and Iranian Baha'is are not 
     permitted to elect their leaders, organize as a community, 
     operate religious schools or conduct other religious 
     community activities guaranteed by the Universal Declaration 
     of Human Rights; and
       Whereas on February 22, 1993, the United Nations Commission 
     on Human Rights published a formerly confidential Iranian 
     Government document that constitutes a blueprint for the 
     destruction of the Baha'i community and reveals that these 
     repressive actions are the result of a deliberate policy 
     designed and approved by the highest officials of the 
     Government of Iran: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) continues to hold the Government of Iran responsible 
     for upholding the rights of all it nationals, including 
     members of the Baha'i community, in a manner consistent with 
     Iran's obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human 
     Rights and other international agreements guaranteeing the 
     civil and political rights of its citizens;
       (2) condemns the repressive anti-Baha'i policies and 
     actions of the Government of Iran, including the denial of 
     legal recognition to the Baha'i community and the basic 
     rights to organize, elect its leaders, educate its youth, and 
     conduct the normal activities of a law-abiding religious 
     community;
       (3) expresses concern that individual Baha'is continue to 
     suffer from severely repressive and discriminatory government 
     actions, solely on account of their religion;
       (4) urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i 
     community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration 
     of Human Rights and the international covenants of human 
     rights, including the freedom of thought, conscience, and 
     religion, and equal protection of the law; and
       (5) call upon the President to continue--
       (A) to assert the United States Government's concern 
     regarding Iran's violations of the rights of its citizens, 
     including members of the Baha'i community, along with 
     expressions of its concern regarding the Iranian Government's 
     support for international terrorism and its efforts to 
     acquire weapons of mass destruction.
       (B) to emphasize that the United States regards the human 
     rights practices of the Government of Iran, particularly its 
     treatment of the Baha'i community and other religious 
     minorities, as a significant factor in the development of the 
     United States Government's relations with the Government of 
     Iran;
       (C) to urge the Government of Iran to emancipate the Baha'i 
     community by granting those rights guaranteed by the 
     Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international 
     covenants on human rights; and
       (D) to encourage other governments to continue to appeal to 
     the Government of Iran, and to cooperate with other 
     governments and international organizations, including the 
     United Nations and its agencies, in efforts to protect the 
     religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities through 
     joint appeals to the Government of Iran and through other 
     appropriate actions.

                          ____________________