[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 106 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H4865-H4866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RELEASE ALL PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE
(Ms. JENKINS asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, across the world, people of certain faiths
live in fear of government persecution every day.
Saied Rezaei, a leader of the Baha'i religion, used to advocate for
gender equality and universal education in Iran. In 2008, he was
arrested on false charges for propaganda against the Iranian regime and
illegally establishing a Baha'i school. When Saied completes his 20-
year sentence, his 16-year-old son will be a 31-year-old man.
That same year, Alimujiang Yimiti, also a husband and father, had his
business shut down after Chinese officials accused him of preaching
Christianity. He now faces 15 years in a Chinese prison and can only
speak to his wife every couple months.
State-sponsored religious persecution will not be tolerated by the
international community. Today, I join the
[[Page H4866]]
Defending Freedoms Project to call for the release of all prisoners of
conscience.
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