Women’s
Forum Against Fundamentalism in Iran
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
Public Statement
CONTACT:
press@wfafi.org
February 10, 2010
Time for Comprehensive Sanctions and Divestment Campaign against Tehran's Fundamentalist Regime
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.
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02215
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