Aadel Collection
Remarks – House No trade with Iran until persecution of Baha’is ceases (July 11, 1983)
NO TRADE WITH IRAN UNTIL PERSECUTION OF BAHAIS CEASES I HON. FORTNEY H. (PETE) STARK OF CALIFORNIA IN THE MOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday. July 11, 1983 • Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, Just 3 weeks ago the Iranian Government took yet another step In their attempt- ed “genocide” of the Bahal people—lO Bahals in Shiraz, Iran, 10 of which were female including 3 teenagers, were executed because they would not recant their religious faith. In February, Ayatollah Khomeini sentenced another 22 Sh lraz prisoners to death. President Reagan wrote a plea of clemency for the prisoners, but his appeal was Ignored. The Iranian Government carried out its Inhumane slaughter of 18 Shiraz prisoners of the Bahat faith. This Bahai bloodbath was not an unusual event for the Iranians. The Bp000278
July 11, 198S Bahais of Iran have been persecuted for over 100 years, but this terroriza- tion was intensified after the revolu- tion in 1978-79. Hundreds of Bahais have been jailed unjustly, dismissed from public and private employment, have had their schools closed, homes, businesses, crops and animals de- stroyed, and their bank accounts con- fiscated. Some 150 Bahais have been execut- ed since 1979, because they would not recant their religious faith. Numerous secret killings have taken place along with many mob beatings. An article in the September 19, 1982, Los Angeles Times described how two of these inci- dents were carried out. In the first: Fifteen masked men attacked a couple In their home at night, poured kerosene on the husband and set him on fire before forcing him to run a few yards. Finafly. they heaped wood upon hint, burning him to death. His wife, subjected to similar treat- ment. died a few days later. The second event was just as barbar- ic as the first: A mob after destroying the local Bahal center, fell upon a man and his son, dragged their bodies through the street and chopped them up Into little pieces that were finally consigned to flames. The Iranian Government not only terror- izes the living, but also tortures the dead Bahals. Many Bahala cemeteries have been destroyed, graves disinterred, and bodies defecated upon. Ayatollah Khomeini has cast aside all human rights and decency when dealing with the Bahal people. In contrast to the violent actions of the Ira 1an Shilte Islams, the Bahal followers abide by a very peaceful reli- gion. It teaches and strives for the unity of mankind, the equality of races, the equality of sexes, universal education, and the maintenance of world peace through collective securi- ty. Although they are enjoined to obey the laws of their respective countries, the Bahal religion does not allow its people to affiliate with any political party. However they may vote, but without regard for political affiliation, The Bahal people work to foster good characteristics among their people such as honesty, compassion, trust- worthiness, and justice. A basic Bahal principle Is the eradication of preju- dices based on race, creed, class, na- tionality, and sex. The Bahals believe that religious truth is not absolute, but relative. The divine revelation is therefore a contin- uous and progressive process. For that reason, the Bahai religion Is able to adapt Itself to modern times such as believing In the equality of males and females. Yet, the Bahals have stand- ards which are not relative, but fixed. For instance, they still prohibit the consumption of alcohol and drugs, as well as premarital sex. The Bahal faith has 300,000 to 400,000 members in Iran, 100,000 members in the United EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS States, and followers In many other countries. According to the Iranian Govern- ment. the Bahal people have commit- ted a few major crimes for which they deserve to be treated more harshly than any other minority in Iran. The Islamic religion believes in the Old and New Testament, as well as the Koran, the writings of Muhamnied. The Bahais also believe in these writ- ings. Islam believes that the last and fInal prophet was Muhammed. Since the Bahal people believe in Btha'u'- flab, a prophet subsequent to Mu- hammed, Islam considers the Bahals to be heretics. The Moslems accuse these heretics of “corruption on Earth and warring against God,” because of their belief in Baha'u'fiah. The Shilte Islamic people also accuse the Bahais of being Zionists, because they send money to Israel. The Bahai world headquarters and one of its largest shrines, is located in Haifa, Israel. The Iranian Bahals used to send money to the shrine in Haifa to help support it. The Iranian Gov- ernnient accused the Bahals of being Zionist on account of these “contribu- tions to Israel.” The Government Ig- nores the fact that the shrine was placed in the Holy Land almost 50 years before Israel ever became a state. Also, the Iranian Moslems them- selves, as do many peoples around the world, contribute to their respective houses of worship in Israel. Ayatollah Khomeini also accuses the Bahals of being spies for Israel. Russia, and the United States. This charge Is ridiculous since the Bahai re- ligion forbids political affiliation and repudiates rebellions against any duly constituted government such as the present Government of-4ran. Ayatollah Khomeini also considers the Bahal women to be prostitutes. There Is no civil marriage in Iran, yet the Iranian Government does not rec- ognize Babal marriages. Therefore any Bahai woman that ever consummates her marriage is considered to be a prostitute. The Shilte Interpretation of the Koran places women in a sub- servient position to men, but the Bahais believe In the equality of the sexes. Bahal women do not wear the head to toe veil, they sit together with their husbands in religious services, they hold administrative positions, and their opinions are considered just as important as those of the Bahal men. The Moslems consider these ac- tions as proof of the Balm! women's immorality. Since the Bahais are considered her- etics, unlike the other minority reli- gions, they are not protected under the Iranian Constitution. The Bahal people cannot complain to the clergy about the Government, because the clergy is the authority. Many Bahal people have tried to leave Iran. The majority of those who 18557 have escaped this persecution fled Iran ifiegafly, because those who at- tempt to do so legally, usually fail In their endeavor. On the emigration form, there is a space left for the ap- plicant to fill in his religion. If the Bahal member writes any religion other than Baha!, he has recanted his religion. It is written In the Bahal scriptures that it is better for one to die than to deny his membership to the Bahai faith, even for a fleeting moment. The Bahals believe that the present life is preparation for the more impor- tant afterlife. Therefore few Bahals would fill in the name of another reli- gion causing them to jeopardize their afterlives. If the Balm! member leaves the space blank, or draws a line through It, then the applicant's reli- gion is open for questioning. Once the Government knows that the applicant is a Bahal, the Bahal member is charged with belonging to an obscene violent group that wars against God, corrupts Earth, and wishes to over- throw the Iranian Government. Per- mission to leave Is denied and the ap- plicants are often punished. The Bahal people are left in a catch-22 sit- uation. The Iranian Government continu- ously preys upon these trapped people; 20,000 Bahais have been exe- cuted in the last 100 years. Hundreds of other Bahal followers have been im- prisoned by their oppressors. This fe- rocity and persecution forces the Bahal people to live a life full of fear and sorrow. As fellow human beings, It Is our duty to help answer the cry for help of this oppressed people. The Iranian Government must know that the United States will not toler- ate terrorist governments that deprive people of their basic human rights. Ayatollah Khomeini has Ignored Con- gress' resolution calling for an end to the Bahal bloodbath. Although. letter writing and public statements deplor- ing this terrorization need to continue, we must resort to more forceful ac.. tions in our condemnation of Kho- meini's genocide of the Bahai people. I have introduced a bill, HR. 2778, which will show our serious commit- ment to this cause. The bill states that no article which Is the growth or prod- uct of Iran may be imported into the United States until the President de- termines, and certifies to the Con- gress, that the Government of Iran has ceased Its persecution of the Bahais in Iran. Of our Imports from Iran, oil as- counts for approxImately 97 percent. The United States buys only 1 percent of its oil from Iran. And, oil of the same or higher grade can be pur- chased from several other countries at comparable prices with no time delays.
r 18558 From their point of view, Iran sells 2 to 3 percent of its oil to the United States. Losing our business now would have an Impact on the Iranian econo- my. Iran would have less money to fund Its present war with Iraq and would have to look for a new buyer during an oil glut. That could be diffi- cult. The United States should go on record as a country who condemns the pogrom of the Bahal people. I there- fore urge all Members to join In work- Ing for early passage of this bill. The faster we act, the more Bahal lives we may be able to save.• r”. —-