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Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has signed on as a cosponsor to H. Res. 134, introduced by Congressman Robert Dold of Illinois, condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights. United States Senator Mark Kirk also of Illinois has introduced a companion bill, S. Res. 80, in the U.S. Senate.
“Just as I did in 2009 when then Congressman Mark Kirk introduced H. Res. 175, which contains the same language as two resolutions that are now working their way through Congress, I again cosponsored the same resolution which has been re-introduced in 2011,” Faleomavaega said. “In my opinion, we must stand against religious persecution wherever it may be found because every human being ought to be free to worship according to the dictates of their own conscience.”
“I especially commend Congressman Dold and Senator Kirk for their leadership in offering these resolutions as well as the 86 other House members who have signed on as cosponsors. I would also like to commend Mr. Bill Hyman for covering this most important issue. Given that this issue is before the House and Senate, I am hopeful that Congress will take immediate action by passing these resolutions as to send a strong message to Iran that religious persecution will not be tolerated by the United States or the international community.”
“In November, 42 countries from the United Nations co-sponsored a resolution which listed at least 16 areas of concern, ranging from torture and an increased use of the death penalty to the ‘systematic and serious restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly’ and ‘severe limitations and restrictions on the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief.’ The U.N. resolution is expected to be confirmed by the full committee in December,” Faleomavaega concluded. |
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![[United States Congress]](congress.gif)
