A resolution congratulating Shirin Ebadi for winning the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize and commending her for her lifetime of work to promote democracy and human rights.

Mr. President, it is with continued concern that my respected colleagues and I bring to the Senate's attention for the ninth time in 21 years the continuing persecution of a minority religious group in Iran, the Baha'i, by submitting today the Baha'i Emancipation Act of 2003.

I fervently believe that the persistent maltreatment of the Baha'i as well as other minority religious groups in Iran epitomizes the perilous state of affairs in the country of Iran. Thus, it is with a genuine compassion for all of the people of Iran but particularly for the followers of the Baha'i faith that my colleagues and I are submitting this resolution highlighting the continuing abuse of this segment of the Iranian population. We are urging that the Baha'i not only remain at the center of our attention, but that we join forces with other like-minded nations to put pressure on the Government of Iran to make permanent and lasting changes that will allow not only the followers of the Baha'i faith but all people to live in peace and prosperity in Iran. Consistent attention of the nature represented by this resolution and its predecessors is necessary in order to achieve full emancipation for this peaceful, law-abiding community.

Although it appears that the overt measures used by the Government of Iran to harass and oppress the members of the Baha'i faith since 1979 have

diminished, research by my staff indicates that a multitude of covert practices have been sustained and in many cases heightened over the past few years. Members of the Baha'i community continue to be subject to various forms of harassment including arbitrary arrest and short- term detainment, confiscation of their public and private property, and disruption of their educational and religious gatherings. Moreover, the Baha'i community continues to be deprived of many rights such as the right to elect their leaders, assemble as a community, access higher education, acquire government employment, receive due legal process, and practice the faith of their preference. As of June of this year, four Baha'i practitioners were in Iranian prisons solely because of their religious beliefs: one on charges of apostasy who is serving a life sentence, one on charges of participation in Baha'i activities who is serving four years, and two on charges of associations with Baha'i institutions who have been sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment. This was unacceptable in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries and it certainly is unacceptable in the 21st century.

I would like to emphasize the idea of religious freedom because I strongly feel that each human being should have the right to choose and practice the faith of his or her choice. Iran has traditionally been designated a Country of Particular Concern in the Congressionally- mandated annual report as required by the International Religious Freedom Act. But, rather than being satisfied that the Government of Iran is reprimanded in this report, we need to take proactive steps to publicize the continued mistreatment of the Baha'i faithful in Iran and to urge the Government of Iran to make the necessary changes. Legislation such as this is an important first step, but we must also work with others, including the European Union, to push for this objective. This legislation urges that the Administration do just that.

I would also like to take this opportunity to bring to the Senate's attention two related pieces of legislation, both of which I have joined as a co-sponsor. The first is S. Res. 244 submitted by Senator Boxer that congratulates Shirin Ebadi for winning the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize and commending her for a lifetime of work promoting democracy and human rights. Shirin Ebadi is a very courageous woman who has risked her life to advocate for universal human rights and on many occasions specifically advocated equal rights for the Baha'i community in Iran. I commend her global efforts and encourage the spreading of her convictions in order to attain a world of equal rights for all.

The second related piece of legislation that I am co-sponsoring is S. Con. Res. 73 submitted by Senator Feinstein that expresses Congress's deep concerns over Iran's apparent efforts to develop nuclear weapons in contravention of its Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty obligations and urging international pressure on Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program. I am aware of the progress that has been made in recent days with the Iranian government's statements of intended cooperation with both the International Atomic Energy Agency's request that Iran sign an additional protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the recent negotiations involving the European Union but I remain wary of their actual intentions and I believe that we should not rest until the words that have been spoken have been followed up with concrete action.

Iran needs to be aware that it must make significant changes in the way it treats its own population and in the manner in which it conducts itself internationally if it wants to become a respected member on the world stage. These requests include but are not limited to cooperating with the European Union and potentially the United Nations, dealing appropriately with the infiltration of suspected terrorists and criminals along their border, halting all forms of terrorist support, cooperating with the U.S. and others on suspected terrorists and intelligence in conjunction with the global war on terror, and especially to provide human rights for each man, woman, and child in Iran regardless of creed or color. Iran must alter their enduring ways in order to earn international respect and to create better lives for all Iranians. A world where Iran is a respected and integral participant, where its inhabitants can co-exist and pursue happiness without constraint is not beyond our grasp but it will take continued focus and determination. I urge passage of the Baha'i Emancipation Act of 2003 and recommend this administration to use all of the tools in its diplomatic toolbox to work through the United Nations, the IAEA, and with our friends and allies to strongly advise the government of Iran to exploit its full potential as a member of the international community.

Mr. President, today I rise to submit a resolution congratulating Shirin Ebadi, winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize.

Throughout her life, Shirin Ebadi has been the leading advocate for human rights and democratic reform in Iran. As a lawyer, a judge, a writer, and an activist, Ms. Ebadi has spend her career speaking out and defending the rights of women, children, and victims of government repression. Despite repeated threats made to her security, periods of imprisonment, and temporary suspensions from practicing law, Ms. Ebadi has continued to work tirelessly for those needing a voice to speak for them.

In addition to establishing one of the first independent human rights organizations in Iran--the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child--Ms. Ebadi also helped create the Center for the Defense of Human Rights, an organization aimed at defending imprisoned journalists and political activists.

Her work is an inspiration to us all. I hope all my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution demonstrating our appreciation to such a heroic champion for human rights.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 244, and that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record, without intervening action or debate.