104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 102

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Concerning the emancipation of the Iranian Baha’i

community.
104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 102

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

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
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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

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
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1 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and

2 other international agreements guaranteeing the civil

3 and political rights of its citizens;

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

5 and actions of the Government of Iran, including the

6 denial of legal recognition to the Baha’i community

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

8 educate its youth, and conduct the normal activities

9 of a law-abiding religious community;

10 (3) expresses concern that individual Baha’is

11 continue to suffer from severely repressive and dis12 criminatory government actions, solely on account of

13 their religion;

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

15 the Baha’i community the rights guaranteed by the

16 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the

17 international covenants of human rights, including

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

19 equal protection of the law; and

20 (5) calls upon the President to continue—

21 (A) to assert the United States Govern22 ment’s concern regarding Iran’s violations of

23 the rights of its citizens, including members of

24 the Baha’i community, along with expressions

25 of its concern regarding the Iranian Govern-
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1 ment’s support for international terrorism and

2 its efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruc3 tion;

4 (B) to emphasize that the United States

5 regards the human rights practices of the Gov6 ernment of Iran, particularly its treatment of

7 the Baha’i community and other religious mi8 norities, as a significant factor in the develop9 ment of the United States Government’s rela10 tions with the Government of Iran;

11 (C) to urge the Government of Iran to

12 emancipate the Baha’i community by granting

13 those rights guaranteed by the Universal Dec14 laration of Human Rights and the international

15 covenants on human rights; and

16 (D) to encourage other governments to

17 continue to appeal to the Government of Iran,

18 and to cooperate with other governments and

19 international organizations, including the Unit20 ed Nations and its agencies, in efforts to pro21 tect the religious rights of the Baha’is and

22 other minorities through joint appeals to the
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1 Government of Iran and through other appro2 priate actions.

Passed the House of Representatives March 27,

1996.

Attest:

Clerk.