HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-109-07/17/1984-CONCERNING THE PERSECUTION OF THE BAHAI RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY IN IRAN RESOLUTION 84- 109
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
CONCERNING THE PERSECUTION OF THE BAHA' I
RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY IN IRAN
WHEREAS, the Baha'i religious community in Iran is suffering severe
persecution and repression at the hands of Iranian authorities; and
WHEREAS, since 1979, when the Islamic revolutionary government came to
power, at least 150 Baha'is have been executed or assassinated, including
the hanging of six men and ten women, among them three teenage girls, on
June 18, 1983, and many more Baha'is have disappeared under suspicious
circumstances; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of Baha'is have been summarily imprisoned solely
because of their religious beliefs, and countless others have suffered
harassment for their faith, including torture, dismissal from employment,
deprivation of trade licenses , destruction of homes , confiscation of
property and businesses, seizure of bank funds, destruction of holy places,
and denial of education to their children; and
WHEREAS, on August 29, 1983, the Iranian government declared illegal
all Baha'i religious organizations and institutions, thereby depriving
Baha' is of the central means of practicing their faith; and
WHEREAS, these violations of human rights on the part of Iranian
authorities constitute violations against all civilized norms of behavior,
as incorporated within such expressions of world opinion as the United
Nations Declaration of Human Rights and, indeed, violate the very prin-
ciples of Islam itself; and
WHEREAS, the international community has expressed its shock and
revulsion at the present program of the Iranian government to decimate
the Baha' i Faith; and
WHEREAS, the principles of the Baha'i Faith inculcate the oneness of
religion, nonviolence, friendly relations with all peoples, and obedience
to government, and the Baha'i teachings abhor every form of sedition,
conspiracy, and treason against one's country.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council condemns the
persecution of the Baha'is in Iran and implore the Iranian government to
take all necessary measures to end the discrimination and repression
against members of the Baha'i Faith.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this
17th day of July, 1984. /
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ATTEST: M
OaN
City Clerk