Sometimes it seems that good news is in short supply. But one recent glimmer of hope came out of the U.S. Senate just before its holiday recess. The Senate unanimously passed a resolution “condemning the government of Iran’s state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.”
The Resolution (SR148) had strong bipartisan backing. It calls on the government of Iran to release the seven leaders of Iran’s Baha’i community who have been imprisoned since 2008; to release the Baha’i teachers and educators who have been imprisoned for providing educational opportunities to Baha’i youth; and to release all other prisoners held on account of their religion in Iran.
Human rights abuse directed at the Baha’is in Iran is not new. It has been going on intermittently since the mid 1800’s. Unfortunately, the situation has worsened in the two years since President Rouhani took office. In the words of one of the Resolution’s authors and an original cosponsor, “America must continue to stand with the Baha’is and with all Iranians who are struggling to lead free and peaceful lives.”
This resolution lets the Iranian government know that the eyes of a watching world are upon it. Thank you to the concerned people of the Valley for your prayers and moral support.
Steve Wilder Public Information Representative Baha’i Community of Harlingen
