WASHINGTON, DC, Dec. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Thursday, December 1, House Resolution 744 (H.Res.744) condemned the state-sponsored persecution of Iran’s Baha’i community, Passed by United States House of Representatives. The resolution comes at a time of growing international protests against Iran’s human rights record sparked by the death of Mercer Amini in custody of the Iranian government’s morality police.
The resolution condemns the long-standing state-sponsored persecution of Iran’s Bahai religious minority and urges the Iranian government to remove Bahais imprisoned or detained and all others detained solely on the grounds of their religion. Demanding the immediate release of the prisoners. End the campaign of hate propaganda against the Bahais. and state-imposed policies that deny Bahais and other members of religious minorities access to higher education, livelihood opportunities, due process under the law, and free practice of religious practices. to cover.
In addition, H.Res.744 calls on the President and Secretary of State to immediately condemn the Iranian government’s continued human rights abuses and call for the immediate release of prisoners detained solely on the grounds of their religion. It also calls for imposing sanctions on Iranian government officials for committing human rights abuses against Iran’s Bahai community.
“The H.Res. 744 bill condemning the Iranian government-sponsored persecution of the Baha’i minority passed the House of Representatives today,” Shakowski said. “My district, the Ninth Ward of Illinois, is proudly home to the beautiful and awe-inspiring North American Bahai Chapel. It welcomes all, not just our Bahai community. …I urge the Senate to pass this bill swiftly and to ensure that the U.S. government uses all available diplomatic means to end Iran’s cruel and relentless campaign against Iran.Bahá’í , women, girls.”
Proposed before retirement by former Congressman Ted Ducci and led by Rep. Jan Schakowski (D-IL-9), the resolution was co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH-1). supported by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Rep. Michael McCall (R-TX-10), Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY-5), Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Chris Smith (R- NJ-4), Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO-2), and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC-2).
Anthony Vance, spokesman for the Bahai faith in the United States, said: “We are grateful that Congress has acknowledged the serious and continuing injustices committed by the Iranian government against the Bahai minority.” Stated. “We hope that this resolution will somehow contribute to improving the human rights of all Iranians, as Bahais are not the only ones facing persecution.”
