Schakowsky Celebrates House Passage of Resolution Condemning Persecution of Iranian Baha’i
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip and member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, celebrated House passage of H.Res.492, her 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.
“Today, the United States House of Representatives came together in a bipartisan manner to pass my resolution condemning the persecution of the Iranian Baha’i community,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “With the passage of this resolution, we are sending 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. 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. I urge the Senate to swiftly pass this resolution.”
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. The passage of this resolution is especially timely as this summer marked the 40th anniversary of the execution of 10 Baha’i women by the Iranian government after they refused to abandon their faith. The youngest was only 17 years old.
Specifically, 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.
- 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.
- 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 bill now advances to the Senate with a clear message—the American people will not stand for the oppression of the Iranian Baha'i community.
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