Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 110 Part 6.djvu/661

 CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS-JUNE 26, 1996 110 STAT. 4483 IRANIAN BAHA'I COMMUNITY—EMANCIPATION June 26, 1996 [H. Con. Res. 102] 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; 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 Irsmian 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 Irgm: 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 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 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 discriminatory government actions, solely on account of their religion; (4) urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i community the rights guarsmteed 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 Government's concern regarding Iran's violations of the rights of its citizens.

�