Iranian Sociological Bodies Urge Global Condemnation of U.S.-Israel Attacks

Tehran - BORNA - The text of the letter from Shirin Ahmadnia, President of the Iranian Sociological Association, and Seyyed Hossein Serajzadeh, President of the Union of Iranian Social Science Associations, to Jeffrey Players, President of the International Sociological Association, is as follows:

The nature and scope of these attacks constitute clear and serious violations of fundamental principles of international law, the Geneva Conventions, and peremptory norms of international humanitarian law. The most evident breaches include: Violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity (Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the UN Charter); Bombing of an elementary school in Minab, killing 168 children (contrary to the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child); Bombardment of medical and humanitarian facilities;  Attacks on civilian areas, resulting thus far in the destruction of over 17,000 residential units and injury to thousands of non-combatants;
Damage to UNESCO-listed cultural heritage sites; Destruction of vital infrastructures resulting in large-scale environmental harm. 

These actions not only threaten the foundations of peaceful coexistence among nations but also erode freedom, equality, and human dignity — the essential pillars of modern societies. 

Needless to say, amid this maelstrom, Iranian social sciences scholars alongside other academics are suffering as members of the broader society. From their very inceptions, Iranian Sociological Association and the Union of Iranian Social Science Associations have been addressing and analyzing societal challenges, including those pertaining to democratic governance and public welfare, through the tools available to them within a public sphere already riddled with risks and constraints.

 As such, we have always contributed to critical and constructive interventions. 

Yet, the war further diminishes our capacity to remain a critical, constructive and socially relevant influence, particularly because of the serious interruption in the academic activities.

From a sociological perspective, indifference toward actions that undermine the very possibility of human and social life is unacceptable. Therefore, Iranian Sociological Association together with the Union of Iranian Social Sciences Associations call upon the International Sociological Association to: 

1. Issue an official statement condemning the war imposed by the United States and Israel; 

2. Encourage sociologists — particularly those in the involved countries — to analyze the social and ethical consequences of these acts and to advocate for their cessation; 

3. Support the establishment of an impartial international fact-finding commission to investigate the killing of civilians, especially children; 

4. Emphasize the necessity of protecting cultural heritage and preventing further destruction of historical monuments;

5. Endorse international efforts to achieve a ceasefire, prevent the recurrence of aggression, and ensure compensation by the aggressors. 

We are confident that sociologists around the world, guided by their scientific conscience and ethical responsibility, will not remain silent in the face of such a grave threat to the human and social foundations of life. 

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