IV

104TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 102

Concerning the emancipation of the Iranian Baha’i community.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 20, 1995

Mr. PORTER (for himself, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. HAMILTON, Mr. HYDE, and Mr. HOYER) submitted the following concurrent

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

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;
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•HCON 102 IH

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

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) continues to hold the Government of Iran

4 responsible for upholding the rights of all its nation5 als, including members of the Baha’i community, in

6 a manner consistent with Iran’s obligations under

7 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and

8 other international agreements guaranteeing the civil

9 and political rights of its citizens;
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•HCON 102 IH

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

2 and actions of the Government of Iran, including the

3 denial of legal recognition to the Baha’i community

4 and the basic rights to organize, elect its leaders,

5 educate its youth, and conduct the normal activities

6 of a law-abiding religious community;

7 (3) expresses concern that individual Baha’is

8 continue to suffer from severely repressive and dis9 criminatory government actions, solely on account of

10 their religion;

11 (4) urges the Government of Iran to extend to

12 the Baha’i community the rights guaranteed by the

13 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the

14 international covenants of human rights, including

15 the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and

16 equal protection of the law; and

17 (5) calls upon the President to continue—

18 (A) to assert the United States Govern19 ment’s concern regarding Iran’s violations of

20 the rights of its citizens, including members of

21 the Baha’i community, along with expressions

22 of its concern regarding the Iranian Govern23 ment’s support for international terrorism and

24 its efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruc25 tion;
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•HCON 102 IH

1 (B) to emphasize that the United States

2 regards the human rights practices of the Gov3 ernment of Iran, particularly its treatment of

4 the Baha’i community and other religious mi5 norities, as a significant factor in the develop6 ment of the United States Government’s rela7 tions with the Government of Iran;

8 (C) to urge the Government of Iran to

9 emancipate the Baha’i community by granting

10 those rights guaranteed by the Universal Dec11 laration of Human Rights and the international

12 covenants on human rights; and

13 (D) to encourage other governments to

14 continue to appeal to the Government of Iran,

15 and to cooperate with other governments and

16 international organizations, including the Unit17 ed Nations and its agencies, in efforts to pro18 tect the religious rights of the Baha’is and

19 other minorities through joint appeals to the

20 Government of Iran and through other appro21 priate actions.

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