[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  IRAN: HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEMS PERSIST

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 1998

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, over the past year, I have listened with 
interest to promises of moderation and reform from Iran, but after a 
year of Mohammad Khatami's tenure as president, I cannot but help to 
conclude that the current regime continues to be one of the major 
violators of human rights and proponents of terrorist activities around 
the world. The only policy that can be successful vis-a-vis Iran is a 
policy of firmness. Firmness, however, will only prove effective when 
it is coupled with support for the establishment of democracy in Iran.
  On May 21st, I had the honor of hosting a gathering at which a number 
of my esteemed colleagues as well as experts on Iran and the region 
addressed various aspects of the question. In urging the administration 
to pursue a policy in favor of the Iranian people and their resistance, 
the speakers emphasized that the U.S. should not make the same mistake 
made during the Shah's time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit the remarks I prepared for this 
briefing for publication in the Congressional Record.

       I would like to thank every one of you for participating in 
     this event today. I believe it is very important that we keep 
     our focus on the issue of human rights. Not long ago, I 
     watched a video tape smuggled out of Iran by the Mojahedin 
     Opposition Movement. It showed for the first time actual 
     scenes of people being stoned to death in Iran. Four 
     individuals were brought out, buried up to their waists, and 
     stoned to death in the most cruel, gruesome and painful scene 
     I have ever witnessed in my life. And this still goes on in 
     Iran, officially. Since the election of Iran's new president, 
     the government has announced the stoning of 7 people, four of 
     them women.
       Tens of thousands of Iranians have been executed for their 
     political beliefs since 1981. My question is, what is our 
     administration doing about these ongoing rights violations? 
     What have we done to relieve the suffering of the Iranian 
     people?
       I believe our policy must be very firm about condemning 
     human rights violations in Iran, and about supporting 
     advocates of democracy, such as Maryam Rajavi. Change will 
     come to Iran, but not from the current regime. We will not 
     get anywhere by cuddling repressive dictators.

     

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