[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 149 (Tuesday, November 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN SUPPORT OF BAHA'I RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2010

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the 
continued religious persecution by the Government of Iran towards the 
Baha'i community. As many of my House colleagues know, in the spring of 
2008, Iranian authorities arrested and imprisoned Mrs. Fariba 
Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, 
Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm, 
members of the Baha'i community's coordinating body in Iran.
  These two women and five men were imprisoned for twenty months 
without charge. In August of 2010, after several months of closed-door 
hearings, they were sentenced to 20 years in prison. That sentence was 
reduced to 10 years in September.
  Madam Speaker, these seven leaders were targeted solely because of 
their religion. This form of discrimination is absolutely unacceptable. 
As Iran is party to the International Covenants on Human Rights, I call 
on the Government of Iran to fulfill their commitment to the 
international community and immediately release these seven individuals 
and all other prisoners held solely on account of their religion.

                          ____________________