III

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. CON. RES. 109

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the ongoing persecution of 13

members of Iran’s Jewish community.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

MAY 4, 2000

Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. BROWNBACK, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. SMITH of

Oregon, and Mr. DODD) submitted the following concurrent resolution;

which was considered and agreed to

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the ongoing

persecution of 13 members of Iran’s Jewish community.

Whereas on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover 1999,

13 Jews, including community and religious leaders in

the cities of Shiraz and Isfahan, were arrested by the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and accused of

spying for the United States and Israel;

Whereas three of 13 defendants were tried in the first week

in May 2000, in trials that were closed to all independent

journalists, outside media, international observers, and

family members;

Whereas no evidence was brought forth at these trials other

than taped ‘‘confessions’’, and no formal charges have yet

been filed;
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•SCON 109 ATS

Whereas Jews in Iran are prohibited from holding any positions that would give them access to state secrets;

Whereas the judge in the case also serves as prosecutor, chief

investigator, and arbiter of punishment;

Whereas United States Secretary of State Albright has identified the case of the 13 Jews in Shiraz as ‘‘one of the

barometers of United States-Iran relations’’;

Whereas countless nations and leading international human

rights organizations have expressed their concern for the

13 Iranian Jews and especially their human rights under

the rule of law;

Whereas President Mohammad Khatami was elected on a

platform of moderation and reform;

Whereas the United States has recently made goodwill overtures toward Iran, including lifting restrictions on the import of Iranian foodstuffs and crafts, promising steps toward the return of assets frozen since 1979, and easing

travel restrictions, all in an attempt to improve relations

between the two countries;

Whereas the World Bank is currently considering two Iranian

projects, valued at more than $130,000,000, which have

been on hold since 1993; and

Whereas Iran must show signs of respecting fundamental

human rights as a prerequisite for improving its relationship with the United States and becoming a member in

good standing of the world community: Now, therefore,

be it

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the

3 President should—
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•SCON 109 ATS

1 (1) condemn, in the strongest possible terms,

2 the arrest of the 13 Iranian Jews and the unfair

3 procedures employed against them leading up to,

4 and during, their trials, and demand their immediate

5 release; and

6 (2) make it clear that—

7 (A) Iran’s treatment of the Jews on trial

8 is a benchmark for determining the nature of

9 current and future United States-Iran relations,

10 and that concessions already made may be re11 scinded in light of Iran’s conduct of these cases;

12 and

13 (B) the outcome of these cases will help

14 determine Iran’s standing in the community of

15 nations, and its eligibility for loans and other fi16 nancial assistance from international financial

17 institutions.

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