RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION AS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS Jews in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1982 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SUBCOMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met in open markup session at 2 p.m., in room 2200, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Don Bonker (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Mr. BONKER. The subcommittee will come to order. The Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations is meeting today to mark up legislation which has been introduced by the chairman of the subcommittee-House Concurrent Resolution 378-and to proceed with the fifth in our series of hearings on religious persecution. We will first take up the resolution concerning the plight of the Baha'is in Iran. We have had other resolutions introduced, one by the ranking minority member, Mr. Leach, and a second by Mr. Stark of California concerning the Baha'is. The subcommittee has conducted a hearing on the persecution of the Baha'is. Therefore it is appropriate for the subcommittee at this time to consider the resolutions that have been introduced I would like to take this opportunity to praise the efforts and the leadership of Mr. Leach and Mr. Stark for bringing this matter to our attention. I would also like to thank them for their earlier work on behalf of the Baha'is and for introducing their resolutions. The chairman consented to introduce the resolution before us today, House Concurrent Resolution 378, at the request of the Baha'i community because it parallels a resolution that was introduced by Senator Heinz in the other body and has passed the other body. In order to avoid a conference with the other body and further delay by having two different versions of the same question, it was decided that we would introduce essentially the Senate resolution and take that up today so that we can expedite action on this matter. At this time I will read just the last portion of the resolution. Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress of the United States condemns persecution of the Baha'is, holds the government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of all its citizens, including the Baha'is, and expresses the hope that the discrimination and brutal executions within the Baha'i community cease immediately. The Congress urges the Iranian Government to take whatever means are necessary to end this extermination of law-abiding citizens who only wish to worship in freedom. Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman. Mr. BONKER. Mr. Hyde. Mr. HYDE. May I ask a question? Is Mr. Leach's resolution different from House Concurrent Resolution 378? Mr. BONKER. Yes; it is. Mr. HYDE. Therefore, House Concurrent Resolution 378, because it tracks the one that already passed the Senate, would expedite passage of this? Mr. BONKER. The gentleman is correct. Mr. HYDE. I understand there has been referral also to Mr. Hamilton's subcommittee on this resolution, is that correct? Will he expeditiously move this along? Mr. BONKER. He has waived his jurisdiction. Mr. HYDE. This is done with Mr. Leach's concurrence, I take it; is that right? Mr. BONKER. I assume it has. If Mr. Leach had any objection, I am sure he would be here today. We worked together on this matter. Mr. HYDE. Then I would ask leave-this is really not my job, but I am wondering if Mr. Leach could also, by unanimous consent, be listed as a cosponsor of this resolution, or perhaps all of us could? Could we? Mr. BONKER. Of course. I would welcome the cosponsorship of all the members of the panel; especially the ranking minority member. Mr. HYDE. I think Mr. Leach first, and if you would add the rest of us, we would be very pleased. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. BONKER. Thank you. Any other comment concerning House Concurrent Resolution 378? The Chair would then entertain a motion. Mr. HYDE. I so move. Mr. BONKER. It has been moved. Mr. BARNES. I second it. Mr. BONKER. It has been moved and seconded that the subcommittee pass House Concurrent Resolution 378. All those in favor say aye. Those opposed? The resolution passes. It will be sent to the full committee. The Chairman will also note that we have a quorum present. [The resolution follows:] 97TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 378 To condemn the Iranian persecution of the Baha'i community. IV IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JULY 21, 1982 Mr. BONKER submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs SEPTEMBER 30, 1982 Additional sponsors: Mr. LEACH of Iowa, Mr. ROSENTHAL, Mr. BARNES, Mr. HYDE, Mr. LANTOS, Mrs. KENNELLY, Mr. PRITCHARD, Mr. WOLPE, Mr. PORTER, Mr. DERWINSKI, Mr. STARK, and Mr. PHILLIP BURTON SEPTEMBER 30, 1982 The Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged; considered and agreed to CONCURRENT RESOLUTION To condemn the Iranian persecution of the Baha'i community. Whereas the Baha'i community in Iran is experiencing persecu tion, harassment and disappearances of family members, job discrimination, seizure of bank funds, destruction of personal property, and torture; Whereas current reports show at least one hundred and thirteen executions of Baha'is and Baha'i religious leaders by the Government of Iran; and Whereas the continued harassment and murder of Baha'is demonstrates that the Government of Iran has launched a con |