History Repeats Itself

For a nation whose leader believes the Holocaust is a "myth," Iran sure seems eager to learn from its lessons. The National Post of Canada (via Volokh) reports:

Human rights groups are raising alarms over a new law passed by the Iranian parliament that would require the country's Jews and Christians to wear coloured badges to identify them and other religious minorities as non-Muslims.

"This is reminiscent of the Holocaust," said Rabbi Marvin Hier, the dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. "Iran is moving closer and closer to the ideology of the Nazis."

Iranian expatriates living in Canada yesterday confirmed reports that the Iranian parliament, called the Islamic Majlis, passed a law this week setting a dress code for all Iranians, requiring them to wear almost identical "standard Islamic garments."

The law, which must still be approved by Iran's "Supreme Guide" Ali Khamenehi before being put into effect, also establishes special insignia to be worn by non-Muslims.

Iran's roughly 25,000 Jews would have to sew a yellow strip of cloth on the front of their clothes, while Christians would wear red badges and Zoroastrians would be forced to wear blue cloth.
[...]
The new law was drafted two years ago, but was stuck in the Iranian parliament until recently when it was revived at the behest of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Jews being forced to wear yellow identifying badges? Where do I remember that from?

The Iranian embassy in Canada refused comment:

A spokesman for the Iranian Embassy in Ottawa refused to comment on the measures. "This is nothing to do with anything here," said a press secretary who identified himself as Mr. Gharmani.

Oh I beg to differ. This has a whole lot to do with people here, in Canada, and around the world. And I pray that you'll be hearing from them in the near future, if this abomination becomes law.

UPDATE: There is dispute over whether or not this account is true. I don't like being suckered by bad sources, but I much rather prefer that this was the Post making a mistake, and Iran is not actually contemplating this proposal.

UPDATE 2x: Via Volokh, I feel comfortable saying that this story likely is not true. Also, who knew that there was a Jewish legislator in Tehran? Talk about life peculiarities.