It is heartbreaking to know that now Jews may still face state-sanctioned murder because they are Jews. For more than a year 13 innocent Jewish men have been held in Iran on false allegations of espionage. They are evident pawns in an Iranian domestic power struggle that they have nothing to do with.

Ranging in age from 16 to 48, the Jewish prisoners have not been formally charged, yet face a trial closed to outside observers. Although three of the 13 are on bail and have secured their own lawyers, the rest are represented by court-appointed attorneys who have reportedly already announced that their clients have "confessed" to their "crimes." The judge in the case will also act as prosecutor and jury in the trial, with a verdict that could result in the men’s executions.

People of good will everywhere call on the Iranian authorities to adhere to international judicial norms and to respect the human rights of these souls and their families. The trial, which began yesterday, was rescheduled for May 1. Meanwhile, we hope Iran will grant bail to the prisoners so that they may spend the Passover holiday with their families. But above all, we urge Iran to safeguard the legal and human rights of these accused prisoners, and we call on the nations of the world to join in our plea for justice. Further tormenting these innocent Jews deserves universal condemnation.