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. HAM-
ILTON, Mr. HYDE, and Mr. HOYER) submitted the following concurrent
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Rela-
tions
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 con-
demned Iran’s execution of more than 200 Baha’is and
the imprisonment of thousands of others solely on ac-
count of their religious beliefs;
•HCON 102 IH
Whereas the Government of Iran continues to deny individual
Baha’is access to higher education and government em-
ployment 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 com-
munity, operate religious schools or conduct other reli-
gious community activities guaranteed by the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights; and
Whereas on February 22, 1993, the United Nations Commis-
sion on Human Rights published a formerly confidential
Iranian Government document that constitutes a blue-
print for the destruction of the Baha’i community and re-
veals that these repressive actions are the result of a de-
liberate policy designed and approved by the highest offi-
cials 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 nation-
als, 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;
•HCON 102 IH
(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;
(3) expresses concern that individual Baha’is
continue to suffer from severely repressive and dis-
criminatory 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 Govern-
ment’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 Govern-
ment’s support for international terrorism and
its efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruc-
tion;
•HCON 102 IH
(B) to emphasize that the United States
regards the human rights practices of the Gov-
ernment of Iran, particularly its treatment of
the Baha’i community and other religious mi-
norities, as a significant factor in the develop-
ment of the United States Government’s rela-
tions 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 Dec-
laration 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 Unit-
ed Nations and its agencies, in efforts to pro-
tect the religious rights of the Baha’is and
other minorities through joint appeals to the
Government of Iran and through other appro-
priate actions.
Æ