This resolution condemns the Iranian government's systematic persecution of the Baha'i minority and calls for the immediate release of imprisoned Baha'is and the imposition of sanctions on responsible officials.
Janice "Jan" Schakowsky
Representative
IL-9
This resolution strongly condemns the Iranian government for its ongoing, state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i religious minority, which violates international human rights laws. It documents systematic abuses, including economic restrictions, denial of education, and arbitrary arrests, noting that these actions may constitute a crime against humanity. The resolution calls on Iran to immediately release all imprisoned Bahais and urges the U.S. President and Secretary of State to condemn these violations and impose sanctions on responsible officials.
Congress Condemns Iran's Persecution of Baha'is, Urges Sanctions on Abusers
This Congressional resolution isn't about setting new laws or spending money; it’s a powerful diplomatic statement that puts the U.S. government squarely on record against the Iranian regime’s treatment of its Baha'i religious minority. Specifically, it condemns the state-sponsored persecution, citing decades of human rights violations, and then calls on the President and Secretary of State to use existing legal authority to impose sanctions on Iranian officials responsible for these abuses. Think of it as Congress telling the executive branch, “We see the problem, and we expect you to use the tools we already gave you to hit the people doing this.”
The Systematic Campaign Against the Baha'is
If you’ve ever had to deal with workplace discrimination, imagine that multiplied by a thousand and backed by a government. The resolution lays out a chilling, decades-long pattern, noting that since 1979, Iranian authorities have killed over 200 Baha'i leaders and dismissed over 10,000 Baha'is from government and university jobs. The findings cite reports from the U.N. and Human Rights Watch detailing how this repression is now enshrined in law—amounting to what one report called the “crime against humanity of persecution.” This isn't just random harassment; it's a systematic effort to erase a community.
Hitting Them Where It Hurts: Economic and Educational Blacklists
The most relatable part of this persecution for many people is the economic warfare. The resolution documents ongoing tactics like the closure, destruction, or confiscation of Baha'i businesses and land. Imagine being told you can't own a store or work in your field because of your faith. Furthermore, the bill notes authorities deny Baha'is access to higher education, citing a Ministry of Science order requiring universities to exclude or expel Baha'i students. This isn't just unfair; it cuts off the community's ability to earn a living, get ahead, or even bury their dead, as the resolution mentions restrictions on establishing places of worship and burial sites.
What Congress Wants the White House to Do
Since this is a resolution, it doesn't create new law, but it provides strong political direction. First, it calls on the Government of Iran to immediately release all Baha'is and other prisoners held solely for their religion and reverse the discriminatory policies that deny them equal access to jobs and education. More importantly for U.S. policy, it urges the President and Secretary of State to use existing powers—specifically those authorized under the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010—to impose sanctions on Iranian officials directly responsible for these abuses. For the officials involved in the persecution, this means their assets could be frozen and their ability to travel internationally severely restricted. While this doesn't fix the problem overnight, it ensures that those who are actively persecuting people face direct, personal consequences from the U.S. government.