To: All Sociologists
A Petition of Sociologists without Borders- Iran
Sociologists without Borders - US
Sociologists without Borders -Spain
Sociologists without Borders - Brazil
We Condemn Militant Threats
Against Iran
In the wake of the death of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis
(more than 650,000 humans) and continuing instability
resulting from the US occupation of Iraq, Iran now is
threatened by US military intervention.
We believe that the discontent with, and opposition to, the
ruling theocracy in Iran does not mean that the Iranian
people support military operations against their country by
the US or any other foreign powers. Iranians still remember
support of the US and some other EU´s countries to Saddam
Hussein in Iraq. He was the outcome of Imperialism and now
Iraq is victimized by its new leaders in the name of Bushism.
Now, military presence of US´s war ships in the Persian Gulf
is a big threat to the region and the world. Iran is a
country three times larger than the population of Iraq. The
human costs of any US military intervention in Iran will
prove to be much higher than in Iraq. This is a war for
energy in the region and for extension of new consumption
markets, not for human rights or security for the world.
Any invasion or bombing of Iran by foreign states, will
empower militarism, religious fanatics and fundamentalism
over Iran and the region and then will erode democratic and
human rights grounds and institutions in Iran.
Sociologists Without Borders (SSF) believe that war is not
compatible with democracy. As Max Weber wrote, war means use
of violence and force against civil society. Therefore,"War
for Democracy" or, as Antonio Negri puts it, "War for Peace!"
is paradoxical. In democracy lies peace and, in fact,
violence by the abuse of the term democracy will legitimize
violence! The history of democracy shows that it is not
exogenous phenomenon, but it depends on indigenous
parameters in the society and is compatible with peace,
humanistic ideas and security. We cannot reach peace or
democracy by shooting at brains! Globalization accompanies
world hegemony. Globalization, as Samir Amin has noted, is
an anarchical empire. In this anarchy, neo-liberals, cartels
and multi-national corporations have become the world
dominant class and play the basic role in global policies.
Today, militarization of the world in the name of new world
order is formulated as democracy while they have militarily
aimed their guns at democracy!
Call for Women! In Iran, more than 35 millions women have
been suppressed by unequal laws and poverty. They need, like
all women everywhere, to change laws and better their
conditions.
Call for Children! In Iran there are more than 35 millions
children under 18 (50 percent of total population), and more
than 20 millions students in the schools and universities.
They want, like all children to see happiness, security and
freedom in their future according to their talents.
Call for Academicians, Sociologists and Without Borders
Activists! In Iran there are many scientific associations
and academicians who want to change unequal conditions and
to establish the security and freedom that will expand
science and technology, and to participate in world science
and humanistic technology but not militant nuclear weapons.
Call for Peacemakers, Human Right Activists, Int.
Associations In Iran, there are many human rights activists,
peacemakers, socio-cultural NGOs who want to change society
for the better. Peace, equality and human development. We
want to protect the rights of children and women, religious
minorities and ethnical minorities of Iran by participatory
democracy.
We are all together We condemn the militant presence of war
ships of US in the Persian Gulf and any invasion of them to
Iran. We condemn and oppose any militant fundamentalisms
that want to lead Iran and the region to misery and tragic
wars. We stand united for justice, for peace, for democracy,
for human rights, and we stand united in the pursuit of
human solidarities without states and rulers dividing and
exploiting us. We know that such a world is possible!
Ali Tayefi
Judith Blau
Alberto Moncada
Paulo Martins
Sincerely,
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