White House Spokesperson Demands Immediate Release of Iran's Baha'i Leaders

Based on a statement released by White House National Security Council spokesperson Gordon Jondroe, Iran Visual News Corps IranVNC reported on June 14, 2008 that Mr. Jondroe, who is traveling with President George W. Bush in Paris, slammed Iran's human rights record as "shameful" and called for the immediate release of the leaders of the Baha'i community of Iran.

Referring to some of Mr. Jondroe's statements, the article wrote:

“The Iranian regime’s human rights record is shameful. A month ago today, the regime arrested six Bahai leaders solely on the grounds of their religion,” said White House spokesperson Gordon Jondroe.

“They should be released immediately,” he announced in a statement released today, adding: “Iran should uphold the basic human right to practice religion and should end its persecution of the Bahai community".

Seven individuals, who have been--on an ad hoc basis--managing the affairs of the Baha'i community of Iran, numbered about 350,000, remain incarcerated without access to legal representation or direct contact with the outside world. The world's Baha'i community is very concerned about their safety and fate as their current condition is unknown. They have not been charged with any crime and were arrested solely because of their religious belief.

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