[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       PROVIDE SUPPORT TO MEMBERS OF THE IRANIAN BAHA'I COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 2011

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of international 
religious freedom and to voice my concern for the seven Baha'i leaders, 
known as the Yaran, who were unjustly convicted by the Iranian regime 
and sentenced to 10 years in prison for their religious beliefs.
  As documented by years of reported abuse and discrimination by the 
U.S. State Department, the United Nations, and other international 
organizations, government respect for religious freedom and human 
rights in Iran is steadily declining. According to the State 
Department's 2010 International Religious Freedom report, since the 
1979 Islamic Revolution over 200 Baha'is have been killed, many have 
been imprisoned, and thousands more have faced regular discrimination 
and public admonishment by the Iranian government.
  Government rhetoric and actions create an oppressive environment for 
religious minorities in Iran, particularly the Baha'i, and instances 
such as the incarceration of the Yaran provide ample evidence of this. 
As a member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, my colleagues 
and I have worked to bring attention to these injustices and hold human 
rights violators accountable. The Iranian Baha'i are deeply devoted to 
peace and unity and their bravery in the face of injustice encourages 
others to work for universal human rights.
  Mr. Speaker, the U.S. government and the international community must 
continue to speak out against these oppressive acts. I call on my 
colleagues in Congress to join me in denouncing the imprisonment of the 
Yaran and partner with the international community to insist Iran 
release these individuals, strengthen the basic rights of their 
citizens, and provide an environment in which individuals can express 
their religion without fear of persecution or intimidation.

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