A resolution condemning the Iranian regime’s persecution of members of the Baha’i faith garnered bipartisan backing of 21 senators as it was introduced on Wednesday.
“The Iranian government has squeezed every freedom from members of the Baha’i community,” stated Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who led the resolution with Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.). “The Baha’i community in Iran deserves to freely practice their religion without fear of state-sponsored persecution.”
Wyden has introduced legislation regularly related to the 300,000 Baha’is in Iran. Boozman called the Baha’i persecution “alarming and disturbing.”
The resolution encourages the U.S. president and secretary of state to impose sanctions on Iranian officials responsible for carrying out abuses of the Baha’is.
“As Americans, we are blessed with religious freedom and stand with members of the Baha’i faith in their pursuit of this fundamental principle,” Boozman said. “This resolution reaffirms our commitment to their cause and solidarity against efforts to repress minority religious expression.”
Companion legislation in the House is being led by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas).
“Together, on a bipartisan and bicameral basis, the United States Congress is sending a clear message that we stand with the Baha’i community and will not tolerate Iran’s efforts to silence, intimidate and persecute members of the Baha’i faith,” McCaul stated.
Wyden’s office stated that the Iranian government “refuses to recognize Baha’is and continues to persecute them by seizing their personal property, denying their access to education and employment and detaining them based only on their religious beliefs.”
