[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE IMPRISONMENT OF THE SEVEN 
                         BAHA'I LEADERS IN IRAN

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                           HON. LYNN JENKINS

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 2015

  Ms. JENKINS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, in this country, we often take 
for granted our ability to worship whatever faith we want without fear 
of government persecution. Yet, for those of the Baha'i faith in Iran, 
this basic human right does not exist. Simply being Baha'i in Iran 
makes you a target for frequent discrimination. The Iranian regime's 
appalling human rights record is full of cases of horrific treatment of 
anyone who stands up for their religious beliefs.
  Take the case of Saeid Rezaei, the Baha'i prisoner of conscience I 
adopted a few years ago as part of the Defending Freedoms Project. 
Arrested on false charges, he remains imprisoned on a 20 year sentence 
that would see him only released when the teenage son he left outside 
has already turned 31 years old. Rarely is outrage as justified as it 
is in this case of state-sponsored discrimination against members of 
the Baha'i faith.
  Today, on the seventh anniversary of the imprisonment of the seven 
Baha'i leaders in Iran, let us join together to highlight the ongoing 
injustices rampant throughout the actions of the Iranian regime and 
continue to stand up for the freedom of religion and beliefs across the 
world.

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