“O you who believe, you shall be absolutely just in your dealings, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses. Do not be provoked by your conflicts with some people into committing injustice… You shall observe GOD. GOD is fully cognizant of everything you do.” (Holy Qur’an 5:8)

The Student Christian Movement of Canada wishes to express our profound concern about the use of excessive force by security forces in response to public demonstrations in Iran, and stand with the courageous students, teachers and all people who risk their lives and freedom for the cause of justice.

We are calling on the authorities to respect the human rights of all Iranian citizens.

The SCM is a student- and youth-led social justice movement, founded in 1921 in Canada, and part of the global World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) with movements in 109 countries.

As a radically ecumenical (multidenominational) movement, we focus on social justice and solidarity as our bases of unity and how we live our faith and spirituality in the world. This work often frequently calls us into dialogue, solidarity and organizing in a multifaith context and we celebrate religious diversity.

We categorically condemn state violence against dissidents and demonstrators in any political context, believing this to be against shared human values of justice and the right to assemble. Some of our own members have experienced Canadian and U.S. violence and suppression against protests here at home, and many of our global movements experience the kind of repression being seen in Iran today.

We also speak out against imperialist manipulation practiced today and throughout history by Western powers, and in Iran’s case especially the United States and Britain, who have ruthlessly supported dictatorships in Iran and elsewhere, suppressed demonstrations at home and abroad, and coerced nations into their will through economic and military intervention.

We condemn all moves towards war against Iran and pray that these are off the table in the current U.S. administration. We hope for healed and just relationships between our countries.

We condemn all forms of oppression and marginalization, including Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims. We hope for the dignity and diversity of humanity to be respected.

The Student Christian Movement stands with the people of Iran, praying for their safety and for justice and truth. We celebrate the Iranian people’s right to self-determination and to elect the leaders of their choice. We affirm the right of all people to resist abuses of power and authority.

In particular, we call upon the Iranian government to:

• immediately and unconditionally release the political leaders and activists arrested on June 15th, and all others, including prisoners of conscience, who have been arrested for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly;

• allow prisoners immediate access to their family members, lawyers of their choice and to any medical treatment they may require, and that they be protected from all forms of torture or ill-treatment;

• allow peaceful demonstrations by those wishing to express their opinion of the elections, even if critical.

We call upon Western governments to:

• end their complete condemnation of Iran and to cease all discussion and preparations for war with Iran

• repent for their support of the Shah dictatorship which was overthrown by the Islamic revolution in 1979, and for their imperialist meddling in many nations of the world

• to critically and carefully assess the actions of the Iranian government in suppressing dissent, while ending their own such actions. We call for an end to harassment and abuse of activists through the use of tasers, teargas, pepper spray, pre-emptive arrests, infiltration and surveillance of activists seen both in Iran today, and, for example, at the Quebec City Summit of the Americas (2001), with Indigenous movements such as the West Coast Warrior Society, and surrounding the upcoming Olympics in Vancouver (2010).

Out of our mission to “act in solidarity with the oppressed to resist structures of domination and realize justice in this world,” the Student Christian Movement will continue monitoring the Iranian situation, advocating for the Iranian right to self-determination, pushing our governments to take a more constructive and respectful role in addressing the current conflict, and praying for justice and dignity to flourish among all peoples.

Statement passed by full consensus of the elected
General Board of the Student Christian Movement of Canada