[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 86 (Friday, June 30, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SUPPORT OF INCARCERATED IRANIAN JEWS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2000

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, today I address the issue of the 13 Jews being 
held in the city of Shiraz in Iran and on trial on charges of 
espionage.
  The World Bank is currently reviewing a proposal to transfer $230 
million in loans to Iran. In light of the circumstances, it is 
inappropriate to consider these loans while the staged trial of the 13 
Iranian Jews continues. It would send a dangerous message that the 
international community disregards the Iranian government's serious 
human rights violations against its citizens.
  This group, which includes a Rabbi, teachers, and students, has been 
detained for over a year although no formal charges have been filed 
against them. Contrary to Iranian law, they have been denied the right 
to choose their own legal representation.
  Additionally, serious legitimacy concerns arise when we consider that 
the trial is being held behind the closed curtains of the Revolutionary 
Court where the judge is also the chief prosecutor.
  The defendants' ``confessions,'' on which the prosecution's case is 
built, were all offered without the presence of their lawyers. These 
minute-long sound-bites have been widely aired on State-run television.
  Clearly justice is not being served for these Iranian Jews.
  The question is what will the world do about it? The key is for the 
U.S., Germany, and Japan to stand up at the World Bank and say human 
rights do matter and to vote to delay any World Bank loan to the 
Republic of Iran. Until justice is served for these 13 Iranian Jews, 
the World Bank should not hide behind claims that somehow its loans are 
only being used for a particular purpose. Money is Fungible.
  Recent history has shown that at least 17 Jews in Iran have been 
executed for spying after similar ``confessions'' were offered. We must 
stand up for human rights. The World Bank is where this trial will be 
on trial.

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