SENT BY FAX AND E-MAIL

April 18, 2000

The UN Commission on Human Rights adopted a resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran today, with a vote of 22 for, 20 against and 11 abstentions. The resolution does not make direct reference to the 13 Jews, but includes a paragraph about the importance of ensuring that the "application of due process of law by the judiciary and … ensure fair and transparent trials in all instances, including for members of religious minority groups."

As you know, the trial is scheduled to reopen on May 1^st for all the defendants, including the three who are out on bail. We are still urging the Iranian authorities to allow the remaining prisoners to spend the holiday with their families, but we can confirm that food for Passover has reached the Jews in prison.

In anticipation of the trial communities are urged to:

• Hold public vigils on Sunday, April 30^th and Monday, May 1^st.

• A concurrent resolution has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Schumer, Feingold, Brownback, Wyden, Dodd and Lieberman and in the House by Representative Gillman. Contact your legislators and urge them to be in contact with resolution cosponsors so they can be included in any final resolution that might come to the floor as the trial resumes.

Please refer to previous alerts for more information and action recommendations.

As always, please contact the JCPA with any questions.

Return to top of this page