[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 62 (Thursday, May 18, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H3311-H3312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONDEMNING TREATMENT OF 13 IRANIAN JEWS

  (Mr. CROWLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the actions of the 
Iranian government for their treatment of the 13 Iranian Jews they now 
hold. Numerous Members of this body and the international community 
have come forward to express their outrage at this travesty of justice, 
and I join them in their anger.
  Mr. Speaker, these 13 Jews have been wrongly imprisoned. Some have 
even been forced to confess to imagined crimes.
  When President Katami was elected in Iran, it was on a platform of 
moderation and reform supported by all the Iranian people. In response 
to his election, the United States made good will overtures toward 
Iran, including the lifting of sanctions on the import of Iranian 
foodstuffs like pistachios and carpets, as well as the easing of travel 
restrictions.
  Yet, despite the rejection of hard-liners in the last election, the 
leaders in Iran are still on the wrong track. At a time when the United 
States has sought to improve relations with the Iranian people, the 
government of Iran must reciprocate and respect fundamental human 
rights and act as a responsible member of the world community. When 
travesties such as this trial continue, it should concern us about our 
policy towards Iran. The Iranian

[[Page H3312]]

government must put an end to this travesty, free the 13 and leave them 
and their families to live in peace.
  I urge my colleagues to speak out on this issue and cosponsor H. Con. 
Res. 307, expressing the sense of Congress regarding the ongoing 
prosecution and persecution of 13 members of the Iranian Jewish 
community.

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