[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 87 (Thursday, June 10, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WORLD CANNOT TURN A BLIND EYE TO IRAN'S REPRESSION OF ITS OWN PEOPLE

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                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 10, 2010

  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, a recent Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 
(RFE/RL) article featured comments from Iranian-American journalist 
Roxana Saberi who spent 100 days in Iran's notorious Evin prison 
between February and May 2009 on espionage charges.
  Saberi indicated that the day of her release was bittersweet, saying, 
``As they drove me away, I remember turning my head to the side and 
seeing the prison disappear behind me. And finally, I cried . . . I 
realized, however, that my tears were not just tears of joy, but they 
were also tears of sorrow for the many innocent prisoners I was leaving 
behind. Why was I freed while all these others are still there?''
  Among those she was leaving behind were the two female Baha'i leaders 
who have been in jail for more than two years on baseless charges--
Fariba Kamalabadi and Mahvash Sabet.
  There are news reports that these two, in addition to the five male 
Baha'i leaders, are scheduled to have their fourth court session on 
Saturday, June 12--the same day as the anniversary of Iran's deeply 
flawed presidential election.
  The RFE/RL article continues, ``Saberi believes the media attention 
and international support she received during her ordeal led to her 
release.''
  Saberi's comments are consistent with the reflections of dissidents 
dating back to the Cold War. Time and again those who are unjustly 
languishing in prison have reported that their lives improved in 
captivity when President Reagan and others raised their cases by name. 
And in some instances, their freedom followed soon thereafter.
  The U.S. and the rest of the free world must continue to speak with 
one voice about the deplorable human rights situation in Iran. We must 
continue to advocate for due process and a fair trial for these seven 
Baha'i leaders and for basic rights for the community as a whole which 
according to the recently released report of the U.S. Commission on 
International Religious Freedom, ``has long been subject to 
particularly severe religious violations in Iran.''
  The world cannot turn a blind eye to this regime's brutal repression 
of its own people.

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