[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H8250-H8251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONDEMNING IRAN'S PERSECUTION OF MEMBERS OF THE BAHA'I FAITH

  (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 274, which 
was introduced by my colleague, Ms. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
  This legislation condemns the government of Iran's state-sponsored 
persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of 
international covenants on human rights.
  Following the Islamic revolution of Iran in 1979, members of the 
Baha'i Faith, the largest non-Muslim religious minority in the country, 
have been subjected to relentless persecution. In Iran, no rights or 
protections are accorded to those who are adherents of religions not 
recognized under the Iranian constitution.
  The Iranian government refuses to recognize the Baha'i Faith as a 
religion and justifies persecution of the Baha'i under this pretext.
  Iran has criminalized ordinary Baha'i religious practices of worship, 
religious training, and fellowship. It has also denied Baha'i people 
government pension

[[Page H8251]]

benefits, higher education, business licenses in about 2 dozen fields, 
and even the right of self-defense.
  Mr. Speaker, I call on the House to pass H.R. 274 to show that this 
chamber and our Nation support the Baha'i people and stand with them in 
the face of Iran's tyranny.

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