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violation of international norms expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and has not changed: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That Congress

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(1) expects the Government of Iran to uphold the rights of all its nationals, including the members of the Bahá'í Faith, 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, including freedom of thought, conscience, and religion;

(2) condemns the deliberate policy of the Government of Iran to undermine the viability of the Bahá'í community;

(3) urges the Government of Iran to permit Bahá'í students to attend, and Bahá'í faculty to

teach, at Iranian universities, as well as to permit the Bahá'í Institute of Higher Education to continue teaching functions among Bahá'í youth without disturbance;

(4) urges the Government of Iran to eliminate employment discrimination against Bahá'ís in both

public and private sectors, and to distribute pensions

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1 and unemployment benefits without respect to belief

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or religious affiliation;

(5) urges the Government of Iran to demonstrate its commitment to human rights, democ

racy, and religious freedom by making a legislative enactment to clarify that the civil and political rights of all unrecognized minorities or communities, such as the Bahá'ís, are to be respected regardless of their religious beliefs;

(6) urges the Government of Iran to allow the reestablishment of Bahá'í institutions, to give individuals the freedom to manifest their religion, and to return all confiscated Bahá'í properties;

(7) urges the United States representative to the United Nations to pursue a resolution on human rights violations in Iran, including specific mention of the the situation of the Bahá'ís, and calls for reestablishment of the mandate of the Special Representative on Iran at the United Nations Commis

sion on Human Rights; and

(8) calls upon the President to continue

(A) to assert that the United States regards the human rights practices of the Govern

ment of Iran, particularly its treatment of the

Bahá'í community and other religious minori

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ties, as a significant factor in the foreign policy of the United States Government regarding

Iran; and

(B) to encourage other governments to continue to appeal to the Government of Iran, and to cooperate with other governments and international organizations, including the United Nations and its agencies, in efforts to

protect the religious rights of the Bahá'ís and other minorities.

IV

108TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION

H. CON. RES. 363

Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continuing gross violations of human rights and civil liberties of the Syrian people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 11, 2004

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN (for herself, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. CHABOT, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. PENCE, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. BERMAN, Mrs. Jo ANN DAVIS of Virginia, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Ms. BERKLEY, and Mr. LANTOS) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continuing gross violations of human rights and civil liberties of the Syrian people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Whereas the Syrian Arab Republic is governed by an authoritarian regime which, according to the 2003 Department of State Report on Human Rights Practices, continues to commit serious human rights abuses, including “the use of torture" and "arbitrary arrest and detention";

Whereas hundreds of political prisoners in Syria have never been tried for any offense, in violation of Article 9 of the

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Universal Declaration of Human Rights (General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of December 10, 1948); Whereas the 2003 Department of State Human Rights Report states that Syria "significantly restricts freedom of speech and of the press", that "freedom of assembly does not exist under the law", and that "the Government restricted freedom of association";

Whereas a recent press law enacted in September 2001 permits Syria to arbitrarily deny or revoke publishing licenses for such vague reasons as "related to the public interest", and compels privately owned media sources to submit all material to government censors for clearance; Whereas Syrian authorities have arrested two journalists for writing articles published in Lebanese newspapers criticizing Syria;

Whereas foreign media correspondents have been expelled from Syria for reporting that runs contrary to what is of ficially sanctioned by Syria;

Whereas Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.";

Whereas Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.";

Whereas Human Rights Watch reports that Syria maintains its "pressure on the country's fragile human rights movement through a combination of intimidation, criminal prosecution of leading activists, and imprisonment";