[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 9]
[EXTEN]
[Page 13424]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      JUSTICE FOR SHIRAZ THIRTEEN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. KEN LUCAS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2000

  Mr. LUCAS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, in Iran today, thirteen Jews are 
awaiting judgement in a trial that I suspect is no trial at all. 
Although the thirteen Jews in question are accused of espionage, they 
have been imprisoned for over a year without being formally charged and 
have been denied the right to choose legal counsel. They have also been 
denied access to family members, fellow members of the Jewish 
community, and human rights workers. It is deplorable to put these 
thirteen people on trial, possibly with their lives at stake, then shut 
the courtroom doors to the world. Diplomats, members of the media, 
human rights activists, and even the accuseds' fellow Iranian citizens 
are barred from attending the court proceedings. In short, these 
thirteen persons are being denied even what limited due process of law 
is regularly available to the Iranian people.
  In March of this year, Secretary of State Albright announced that the 
U.S. ban on certain Iranian imports would be lifted. This move was 
designed to encourage ongoing political reform in Iran. However, as 
Iran works to improve its relations with the international community, I 
urge my fellow members of Congress to keep a watchful eye on the 
developments in this case. Judge Sadiq Nourani, better known to his 
countrymen as ``the butcher,'' will soon decide whether or not these 
thirteen Jews indeed committed acts of espionage against Iran. I am 
deeply troubled by the shroud of secrecy under which this trial 
proceeds, bringing into question the integrity of any guilty verdict. 
My colleagues in Congress should view Judge Nourani's decision, and any 
subsequent sentencing, as a strong indication as to the sincerity of 
Iran's attempts to reform.
  Omid Tefillin, a 25 year-old man whose brother has already been 
condemned, said, ``I am innocent, and I believe the court is just. God 
willing, I will be acquitted.'' Mr. Speaker, I wish I shared Mr. 
Tefillin's faith in the Iranian judicial system. Based on the 
proceedings I have observed thus far, I am doubtful the thirteen Jews 
can receive a just verdict.

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