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 reli-
gious persecution of the Baha’i community in such resolutions
and in numerous other appeals, and has condemned Iran’s execu-
tion 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 commu-
nity, 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 con-
fiscated 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 guaran-
teed 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 concur-
ring), 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 recogni-
tion 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 reli-
gion, 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 Govern-
ment’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, particu-
larly its treatment of the Baha’i community and other
religious minorities, as a significant factor in the develop-
ment 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, includ-
ing 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.