Iranian intellectuals publish open letter in favour of a new reformist Iran
Signed by more than 400 students and scholars, the letter calls for a unified solution to solve the crises the country faces. It also calls for stronger multiculturalism and social reforms based on solidarity. Actors and celebrities also start an online campaign against US sanctions, which, contrary to Trump’s lies, affect the weak.
Tehran (AsiaNews) – More than 400 intellectuals and activists, including university professors and students, have published an open letter calling for a new path of development for Iran, which is currently threatened by Western sanctions and a theocracy unable to cope with open debate.
In their letter addressed to "academicians, lecturers, intellectuals and social activists", the signatories demand a thorough review of the political and intellectual attitudes that prevail in the country. The goal is to create a unified discourse to find a way out of the country's critical situation, pro-Green Movement website Kalemeh reported.
For the signatories, one of the strategies to exit the current national crisis is a total review of the dominant intellectual schools of thought, aimed at reforming Iran's political, social and economic infrastructure.
For them, Iran’s “problem today is the danger of annihilation that threatens the existence of all Iranians”. This calls for stronger ties in the country to engage in collective action on social issues. It also means changing the national dialogue into a reform programme based on a specific agenda.
“We need a revision of the dominant political thought, a sort of paradigmatic turn that requires a change” from the bottom up, the letter says. Such a movement can open up the dark and narrow confines of universities to civil society and citizens.
Lastly, the letter expresses hope that Iran will be "based on multiculturalism" as well as solidarity rather “the repressive and disruptive mechanisms of the state”.
Along with the above action by intellectuals, scholars and students, other initiatives are being undertaken to counter US sanctions, which are taking their toll on ordinary Iranians.
One of the them is #SanctionsTargetMe, which brings together various celebrities concerned, among other things, about the country’s alarming drug shortages.
Promoted by actors Reza Kianian and Parviz Parastui, the campaign points the finger at US President Donald Trump. For the two, the US leader lies when he says that “sanctions do not affect humanitarian aid and medicine.”
They go further, warning that sanctions prevent international financial transactions, which is putting a heavy burden on most Iranians.
In May, the US pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, had signed. In its stead, the US leader imposed the toughest sanctions in history against Iran.
The decision has had a major impact on the Iranian economy, confirmed by reports published by the International Monetary Fund, leading to a drastic decline in oil sales, which was the goal of the second batch of sanctions that came into force on 5 November.
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25/01/2021 12:34
28/05/2019 11:45
