Sen. Toomey's Resolution Urging Release Of Religious Prisoners In Iran Passes Senate

Press Release

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey's (R-Pa.) bipartisan resolution (S. Res. 75) urging the Islamic Republic of Iran to release those imprisoned solely because of their religion passed the Senate today. The resolution, cosponsored by Sen. Toomey and 34 colleagues, condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority as one of the regime's longstanding human rights violations. It also urges President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry to impose sanctions on Iranian government officials and other individuals directly responsible for serious human rights abuses, including those against the Baha'i community in Iran.

The Baha'i faith is a monotheistic religion emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind and was founded by Baha'u'llah in 19th-century Persia. There are an estimated five to six million Baha'is around the world in more than 200 countries and territories. Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iranian Baha'is have regularly had their homes ransacked or have been banned from attending university or holding government jobs.

"Religious freedom is a natural right that belongs to everyone, everywhere. As a beacon of that freedom, it is appropriate that the U.S. Senate has shown solidarity with the beleaguered Iranian people, including the Baha'i minority," said Sen. Toomey. "I urge President Obama to employ the strongest sanctions against Iran to help ensure that the regime honors the basic dignity of its own people."

Members of Philadelphia's Baha'i community thanked Sen. Toomey for his leadership on the resolution when he sponsored the bill in September.

"The Baha'i community is deeply appreciative of Senator Toomey championing the religious freedom of the Baha'is, and indeed of all religious minorities in Iran. Baha'is have long been subject to particularly severe religious freedom violations in Iran. They have been banned from universities, denied government jobs, and their marriages are not recognized by the state. Seven Baha'i leaders have currently been in prison for the past five years on baseless charges. They have been sentenced to 20 years each, the longest sentences ever given to any prisoner of conscience in Iran.

"We thank Senator Toomey for proudly standing with the Baha'i community in Pennsylvania and throughout the country to promote religious freedom and awareness of these egregious human rights violations carried out on the Baha'is in Iran," said Mark Jolly, Public Information Officer, the Baha'is of Philadelphia.

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