[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 18 (Thursday, February 24, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S832-S833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING THE PEOPLE OF IRAN
Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 83 submitted by
myself and Senator Wellstone.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent
resolution by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 83) commending the
people of Iran for their commitment to the democratic process
and positive political reform on the occasion of Iran's
parliamentary elections.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
concurrent resolution.
Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, earlier today the Senate voted on H.R.
1883, the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000. That bill will shortly be
voted on by the House and sent to the President. I hope he will sign it
because it is an important signal that the United States will not
tolerate the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means
of delivering them. We will not tolerate trafficking in missiles and
the technology with which to build them. I believe that is an important
signal for us to send.
I also think it is important we recognize what took place this week
in Iran. This threat occurred, but in the midst of this, 80 percent of
the people in Iran turned out to vote. They are not interested in the
entrenched policies of Ayatollah Khomeini and his harsh legacy.
Reformers dominated in the polls. Despite the best efforts of the
hardline clerical institutions to disqualify and intimidate popular
candidates, the Iranian people had the courage of their convictions.
They want economic liberalization, they want freedom of the press, and
they want personal liberty.
We in the United States obviously share those convictions and are
obviously heartened by what took place at the polls this week in Iran.
It should be noted and applauded, and this resolution does just that.
We say to the Iranian people: Congratulations. Thank you. This is a
good step in moving forward. At the same time, we want to say we will
not tolerate weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering
these weapons. We want to send those clear signals.
There is another thing which is going on in Iran. Earlier today, I
had a press conference with several other people about three men--Sirus
Zabihi-Moghaddam, Hedayat Kashefi-Najafabadi, and Manuchehr Khulusi--
three Baha'is who are on death row in prison facing imminent execution
for the simple reason of practicing their faith. That is it. They are
on death row facing imminent death for daring to practice their faith.
This cannot be tolerated. There are nearly 300,000 Baha'is in Iran.
It is the largest religious minority in the country. They have suffered
continuous persecution for their peaceful beliefs. I remind the Iranian
people who have voted for freedom this week that this is part of it.
This is also something they have signed on to.
Nearly 50 years ago, the General Assembly of the United Nations--of
which Iran is a member--adopted the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. Since that time, this Universal Declaration has become the
bedrock document for human rights. However, the Iranian Government
continues to be an egregious violator.
I wish to read one portion of this document. Article 18 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights states:
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience
and religion; this right includes freedom to change his
religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community
with others and in public or private, to manifest his
religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and
observance.
This hour, I call on the Government of Iran--from whom the people of
Iran, by their clear vote this week, are seeking change--to ensure the
safety of these three individuals.
This hour, I call for the release of these individuals--Sirus Zabihi-
Moghaddam, Hedayat Kashefi-Najafabadi, and Manuchehr Khulusi--whose
only crime was a sincere expression of their faith, which is a
universal fundamental right.
Most importantly, I call upon the Government of Iran to provide
freedom of religion to its people--who are yearning for change, as
witnessed by the vote this week--including their peaceful yet
brutalized Baha'is community. I ask for their freedom to express their
faith as they see fit.
Our resolution is in addition to the bill that passed earlier today.
It congratulates the Iranian people and says: Let's take other steps
forward. No weapons of mass destruction. But, also, let's recognize
religious freedom, as in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
which the Iranian Government has signed on to.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution, S. Con.
Res. 83, be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements related to
the concurrent resolution be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Con. Res. 83) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Con. Res. 83
Whereas the Islamic Republic of Iran held parliamentary
elections on February 18, 2000;
Whereas more than 75 percent of the approximately
39,000,000 eligible voters cast ballots in the elections;
Whereas preliminary results indicate that reformers have
won a parliamentary majority, freeing Iran's parliament, the
Majlis, of hard-line domination for the first time since the
1979 Iranian revolution;
Whereas reformers won elections despite concerted efforts
by hard-line Iranian clergy to ban reformist forces from the
ballot; and
Whereas the elections show a clear preference by a majority
of Iranian voters for democracy, rule of law, and improved
relations with Western nations: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That Congress--
(1) commends the people of Iran for their commitment to the
democratic process;
(2) congratulates reformist parliamentarians on their
recent electoral victory;
(3) reaffirms the desire of the United States to see free,
democratic political development, the restoration of the rule
of law, and full civil and political rights for all Iranians;
and
(4) calls on the Government of Iran to rejoin the community
of nations and renounce terrorism, opposition to the Middle
East
[[Page S833]]
peace process, and the development and acquisition of weapons
of mass destruction.
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