Urgent Appeal by UNESCO Chairs in Iran for Decisive UNESCO Action in Response to the Israeli Regime’s Recent Attacks on Scientific Institutions and Civilians
The UNESCO Chairs Network in Iran, in an official letter to Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, expressed deep concern over the recent military attacks by the Israeli regime and the United States against Iran. They called on UNESCO to explicitly condemn these actions and take immediate measures to protect the lives of scientists and civilians, as well as the country’s scientific infrastructure. The full text of the message is as follows: |
Ms. Audrey Azoulay
Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Dear Ms. Azoulay,
We, the holders of UNESCO Chairs in the Islamic Republic of Iran, wish to express our deep concern and sorrow over the attacks by the Israeli regime and the United States of America against Iran. These attacks have resulted in the tragic loss of numerous civilian lives and, regrettably, members of the academic and scientific community have also been among the victims of these violations.
UNESCO was founded with the aim of building global peace and security through mutual dialogue and diplomatic engagement. The recent attacks against Iran constitute a direct violation of the fundamental principles upon which the Organization was established and require urgent attention. Such actions undermine the foundations of dialogue, mutual trust and scientific cooperation; principles that lie at the heart of UNESCO’s mission.
We are also deeply concerned about the potentially catastrophic environmental consequences, including the risk of nuclear contamination, which could extend beyond national borders and endanger the planet’s ecological balance. The continuation of international research and the spirit of scientific cooperation are under serious threat, with consequences that will extend far beyond the region concerned.
In the name of humanity and in accordance with the principles enshrined in UNESCO’s Constitution, we respectfully urge you not only to publicly and unequivocally condemn these attacks on scientific institutions and civilian infrastructure as violations of international law and human rights, but also to take effective measures to prevent further violations.
We also call on you to document and expose these crimes to the international community, thereby raising and strengthening global public awareness and ensuring accountability at the international level.
Madam Director-General, we urge you to take decisive action—not merely through words, but through concrete and effective measures—to protect innocent lives and uphold the ethical principles upon which this Organization was founded.
The world can no longer afford to remain silent. Now is the time to stand against these atrocities and reaffirm the truth that peace is the only possible path forward for the future of humanity.
Respectfully,
UNESCO Chairs Network in Iran
