[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3545-S3546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 109--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS 
   REGARDING THE ONGOING PERSECUTION OF 13 MEMBERS OF IRAN'S JEWISH 
                               COMMUNITY

  Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Smith of 
Oregon, and Mr. Dodd) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to:

                            S. Con. Res. 109

       Whereas on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover 1999, 
     13 Jews, including community and religious leaders in the 
     cities of Shiraz and Isfahan, were arrested by the 
     authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and accused of 
     spying for the United States and Israel;
       Whereas three of 13 defendants were tried in the first week 
     in May 2000, in trials that were closed to all independent 
     journalists, outside media, international observers, and 
     family members;
       Whereas no evidence was brought forth at these trials other 
     than taped ``confessions'', and no formal charges have yet 
     been filed;
       Whereas Jews in Iran are prohibited from holding any 
     positions that would give them access to state secrets;
       Whereas the judge in the case also serves as prosecutor, 
     chief investigator, and arbiter of punishment;
       Whereas United States Secretary of State Albright has 
     identified the case of the 13 Jews in Shiraz as ``one of the 
     barometers of United States-Iran relations'';
       Whereas countless nations and leading international human 
     rights organizations have expressed their concern for the 13 
     Iranian Jews and especially their human rights under the rule 
     of law;
       Whereas President Mohammad Khatami was elected on a 
     platform of moderation and reform;
       Whereas the United States has recently made goodwill 
     overtures toward Iran, including lifting restrictions on the 
     import of Iranian foodstuffs and crafts, promising steps 
     toward the return of assets frozen since 1979,

[[Page S3546]]

     and easing travel restrictions, all in an attempt to improve 
     relations between the two countries;
       Whereas the World Bank is currently considering two Iranian 
     projects, valued at more than $130,000,000, which have been 
     on hold since 1993; and
       Whereas Iran must show signs of respecting fundamental 
     human rights as a prerequisite for improving its relationship 
     with the United States and becoming a member in good standing 
     of the world community: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the 
     President should--
       (1) condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the arrest of 
     the 13 Iranian Jews and the unfair procedures employed 
     against them leading up to, and during, their trials, and 
     demand their immediate release; and
       (2) make it clear that--
       (A) Iran's treatment of the Jews on trial is a benchmark 
     for determining the nature of current and future United 
     States-Iran relations, and that concessions already made may 
     be rescinded in light of Iran's conduct of these cases; and
       (B) the outcome of these cases will help determine Iran's 
     standing in the community of nations, and its eligibility for 
     loans and other financial assistance from international 
     financial institutions.

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