US lawmakers condemn persecution of Baha’is in Iran

Washington, 23 October (WashingtonTV)—The US House of Representatives on Thursday passed a resolution condemning the Iranian government’s “state-sponsored persecution” of members of the Baha’i faith and its “continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.”

The resolution, passed by a vote of 407-2, was the 11^th congressional resolution since 1982 to address the religious oppression of the Baha’is in Iran, according to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States.

The resolution also calls on President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to condemn the persecution of Baha’is in Iran, and to demand the release of all religious prisoners, including seven Baha’is who have been detained for more than a year without a trial.

“Today, the House of Representatives sends a signal to the Iranian regime, and it contains an important message,” Representative Mark Kirk said in a statement on the House floor.

“The US Congress will expose this regime that murders innocent women and children in the streets and denies citizens’ basic human rights,” Kirk added.

He called on the Islamic Republic to release all political prisoners and end its “ignorant and uncultured persecution of the peaceful Baha’is.”

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the U.S. welcomed the resolution.

“Given current human rights violations against the Iranian citizens, we welcome Congress speaking out now again against the persecution of Iran’s largest religious minority,” said Kit Bigelow, director of external affairs for the assembly.

A concurrent Senate resolution is still pending.

A trial for seven Baha’is who have been detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison for more than 16 months has repeatedly been delayed.

Official Iranian news accounts have said that the seven are accused of “espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic Republic.”

The Baha’i International Community categorically denies all the charges.

Source: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States

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