Time for Comprehensive Sanctions and Divestment Campaign against Tehran's Fundamentalist Regime
Nilofar Hafezi
February 28, 2010
www.wfafi.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
Public Statement
CONTACT: press(at)wfafi.org
February 10, 2010
BOSTON, MA- On February 11, 2010 Iranian people will once again take to the streets to protest against the fundamentalist regime in Tehran. This time they are challenging the regime, who historically has hijacked this day, the anniversary of the 1979 revolution which overthrew the Shah, to promote its own fundamentalist propaganda. As the Iranian regime is preparing for a harsh crackdown, it is encouraging to see the U.S. and E.U. condemn the large scale detentions, mass trials and denial of the right to peaceful expression in advance of the protests tomorrow.
More specifically, the resolution by European Parliament outlines measures against the regime in Tehran, and goes on to include a special tribute to the Iranian women who played a crucial role recognizing Neda Agha-Soltan as a symbol of defiance in the face of merciless oppression. The Women's Forum Against Fundamentalism in Iran (WFAFI) welcomes such moves and encourages US Congress to follow suit.
Continued and persistent pressure on Tehran's regime is in support of the Iranian people. It is incumbent upon all nations to follow on with a comprehensive sanction and divestment campaign against Tehran's fundamentalist regime. Such efforts must target not only the leadership, but also its suppressive forces; such as Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) and Basijis (the paramilitary forces).
The U.S. and European anti-apartheid movement responded to the South African liberation movements call to isolate South Africa. The same can be done for Iran. WFAFI proposes the following campaigns in support of Iran's liberation movement:
1. Corporate Divestment Campaign Recognizing IRGC's control over all economic affairs and its active role in suppression, WFAFI urges divestment movement by all foreign companies currently trading with or operating in Iran. Iranians are calling for a pull- out campaign and end to direct and indirect investments with the suppressive regime in Tehran. Support for the suppressive economy of this regime must end immediately and indefinitely.
2. Bank Divestment Campaign Recognizing Iranian leaderships mafia-style control of capital, banking and finance, WFAFI calls upon worldwide banks to halt lending and credits to Tehran's regime. This will directly impose massive capital pressure on Iran's leadership to fund its suppressive campaign against the Iranian people.
3. College & University Divestment Campaign In solidarity with the students, teachers and academics in Iran, WFAFI calls on all universities and colleges worldwide to end direct and indirect investment with Iran. Tehran's regime continues to violently target school campuses, arrest, torture and execute teachers and students; therefore any support for its suppressive effort and economy must end.
4. Comprehensive Governmental Sanctions Beyond the recent encouraging moves from the US and Europe, WFAFI calls upon all governments to impose comprehensive political, economic, and military sanctions on Tehran's regime. US and Europe must also enhance their current sanctions and close all exiting loopholes for further abuse by Tehran.
5. Comprehensive Non-Governmental Sanctions Beyond the admirable focus of Amnesty International on the human rights situation in Iran, WFAFI calls upon all NGOs to push for international boycott of this regime and declare support for the Iranian people and their just liberation movement.
6. Comprehensive Peoples Sanctions Beyond governmental focus on Tehran's regime, WFAFI calls upon all free people of the world to urge their state and municipal governments to take actions against companies and banks doing business in Iran, as well as individual divestment.
The divestment movement won impressive victories for the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. WFAFI hopes to see similar success in coming months for Iran's liberation movement.
http://www.wfafi.org
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