H. Con. Res. 102 Agreed to June 26, 1996

One Hundred Fourth Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE SECOND SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,

the third day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-six

Concurrent Resolution

Concerning the emancipation of the Iranian Baha’i community.

Whereas in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1994 the Congress,

by concurrent resolution, declared that it holds the Government

of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of all its nationals,

including members of the Baha’i Faith, Iran’s largest religious

minority;

Whereas the Congress has deplored the Government of Iran’s religious persecution of the Baha’i community in such resolutions

and in numerous other appeals, and has condemned Iran’s execution of more than 200 Baha’is and the imprisonment of thousands

of others solely on account of their religious beliefs;

Whereas the Government of Iran continues to deny individual

Baha’is access to higher education and government employment

and denies recognition and religious rights to the Baha’i community, according to the policy set forth in a confidential Iranian

Government document which was revealed by the United Nations

Commission on Human Rights in 1993;

Whereas all Baha’i community properties in Iran have been confiscated by the government and Iranian Baha’is are not permitted

to elect their leaders, organize as a community, operate religious

schools or conduct other religious community activities guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and

Whereas on February 22, 1993, the United Nations Commission

on Human Rights published a formerly confidential Iranian

Government document that constitutes a blueprint for the

destruction of the Baha’i community and reveals that these

repressive actions are the result of a deliberate policy designed

and approved by the highest officials of the Government of Iran:

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress—

(1) continues to hold the Government of Iran responsible

for upholding the rights of all its nationals, including members

of the Baha’i community, in a manner consistent with Iran’s

obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

and other international agreements guaranteeing the civil and

political rights of its citizens;

(2) condemns the repressive anti-Baha’i policies and actions

of the Government of Iran, including the denial of legal recognition to the Baha’i community and the basic rights to organize,

elect its leaders, educate its youth, and conduct the normal

activities of a law-abiding religious community;
H. Con. Res. 102—2

(3) expresses concern that individual Baha’is continue to

suffer from severely repressive and discriminatory government

actions, solely on account of their religion;

(4) urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha’i

community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration

of Human Rights and the international covenants of human

rights, including the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and equal protection of the law; and

(5) calls upon the President to continue—

(A) to assert the United States Government’s concern

regarding Iran’s violations of the rights of its citizens,

including members of the Baha’i community, along with

expressions of its concern regarding the Iranian Government’s support for international terrorism and its efforts

to acquire weapons of mass destruction;

(B) to emphasize that the United States regards the

human rights practices of the Government of Iran, particularly its treatment of the Baha’i community and other

religious minorities, as a significant factor in the development of the United States Government’s relations with

the Government of Iran;

(C) to urge the Government of Iran to emancipate

the Baha’i community by granting those rights guaranteed

by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the

international covenants on human rights; and

(D) to encourage other governments to continue to

appeal to the Government of Iran, and to cooperate with

other governments and international organizations, including the United Nations and its agencies, in efforts to protect

the religious rights of the Baha’is and other minorities

through joint appeals to the Government of Iran and

through other appropriate actions.

Attest:

Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Attest:

Secretary of the Senate.