[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF BAHA'IS IN IRAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 2011

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express concern about the 
treatment of Baha'is in Iran. Recent reports suggest that the seven 
Baha'i leaders convicted last August have been transferred to more 
dangerous areas of the prison in which they are being held. 
Additionally, a series of arrests of Baha'i adherents began in Isfahan 
on February 13th. The fate of those individuals is currently unknown, 
but these arrests suggest that the Iranian government is continuing its 
persecution of members of the Baha'i faith.
  Freedom of religion is a basic human right. The United States has 
always been committed to defending religious freedom around the globe. 
The world must be vocal in its condemnation of the mistreatment of the 
Baha'i people at the hands of a brutal government.
  I urge the Iranian government to release all those whom it has 
imprisoned solely because of their religious beliefs, and to treat all 
of its religious minorities with tolerance.

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