In light of the current events in Iran, Campaign Iran has decided to issue a statement regarding its position on the elections and the subsequent wave of protests.
Campaign Iran is an organisation which works solely with the aim of halting the threat of war and the continuing sanctions on Iran. Therefore, we clearly do not express an opinion on individual candidates within the Iranian election, nor any particular preference.
However, as an activist-based campaign we always support the right of protest and condemn the repression of any demonstrations in Iran from the state. We support democracy and human rights in Iran and believe that the current movement which has taken to the streets vindicates our position that the Iranian people, and only the Iranian people, have the ability and the right to make change in Iran as they best see fit. It is clear that the democracy movement can fight its own battles and we support their struggle.
Through the revolution of 1979 Iranian society rejected the colonial mindset of foreign influence and still carries this position today. Those who argue for a ‘war of liberation’ can look both to the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition we strongly believe that the current situation must not be used as an excuse for war or further sanctions. We fear that any instability within the country could be used as a pre-text to launch an attack on Iran and we, along with the Iranian people, stoutly reject such an eventuality. We stand against the hijacking of this movement from any western power, in order to weaken Iran as an obstacle to imperialism.
We call on international anti-war activists to support the right of Iranians to protest and bring about change, free from the influence of Western leaders. We must continue to play our role and limit the threat of war which only serves to strangle any movements for change.
3 Comments
If the the current leaders of Iran won the vote with a 65% margin why are they so scared of a fresh election. The people of Iran turned out in record numbers to express an oponion on election day. This has to be clarrified as to the truth of what is contained in the ballot boxes.
AS a westerner its good to see that Iranians are now starting to get fed up with religious politics. This country can be great again get religion out of politics.
Iranians hold the answer they will decide.
[...] Campaign Iran har publicerat ett uttalnde som på många sätt kans ägas uttrycka min ståndpunkt i förhållande till demonstrationerna i Iran: Campaign Iran is an organisation which works solely with the aim of halting the threat of war and [...]
I have reprinted your statement on my blog. I am more suspicious of CIA involvement that I am worried about the Iranian people. I am coming to the opinion that the CIA had a plan to foment a revolt at the time of the elections and Obama got drafted to play a part in this plan with his speech in Cairo. It certainly gave heart to the pro-western elements in Iran.
The media in the USA is mostly reporting with almost unabashed glee from the perspective of a desire for regime change in Iran. What they want is not clear. Apparently democracy is not good enough. What they seem to want is a full fledged surrender to the forces of western capital and the interests of western capital. Nothing else will do and for that reason I am suspicious of any rebellion in Iran at this time.
I do support free and fair elections in Iran but with so much pressure from around the world to conform to the wests agenda, I can see little choice but for the government to resist the west. Unfortunately this seems to make the genuine voice of democracy in Iran seem to be a pawn of the west or in the hands of Islamicists. I can only say hands off, let the Iranians decide.