North Cook News

WASHINGTON - On June 9, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip and member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, led 28 House colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution condemning Iran’s government for persecuting the Iranian Baha’i community, the largest religious minority in Iran with a membership of more than 300,000 people.

Unlike some other religious minorities such as Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians, Iran's Baha'is have never been recognized by their government and are often persecuted by the Iranian regime. The regime often seizes personal property, denies Baha'i access to education and employment opportunities, and detains or imprisons Baha'is based solely on their religious beliefs.

“I am proud to introduce a bipartisan resolution condemning the government of Iran’s state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i minority,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “It is critical that the United States send a strong, unified message to the government of Iran condemning its grave human rights abuses. Iran must immediately release all imprisoned and detained Baha’is, including Mr. Ardeshir Fanaian who has been in prison for over for years for teaching the Baha’i faith. He was recently ordered released by a judge in Semnan; however, the Semnan Intelligence Ministry is refusing to let him go. I am proud to be his Congressional advocate as part of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission’s Defending Freedoms Project. The United States and its allies must use all available diplomatic tools to ensure Iran ends this hate-fueled campaign against its Baha’i minority now.”

This resolution denounces Iran’s state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i minority and its continued violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The resolution calls for the immediate release of imprisoned and detained Baha’is held solely on account of their religion and end their state-sponsored campaign of hate propaganda against the Bahai’s. Additionally, the resolution encourages the President and the Secretary of State to condemn Iran’s continued violation of human rights and to impose sanctions on Iranian Government officials responsible for such abuses.  

The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Donald S. Beyer (VA-08), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), William R. Keating (MA-09), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Michael McCaul (TX-10), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Grace Meng (NY-06), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Dina Titus (NV-01), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Joe Wilson (SC-02), and Robert J. Wittman (VA-01). 

Original source can be found here.