The experiences of the last twenty-six
years along with the numerous small and large disasters which have humiliated
and isolated the people of Iran
clearly demonstrate that there is but one ultimate path for ending the
continuing state of crisis and freeing the suffering Iranian nation:
The Creation
of a Democratic System of Government which is in harmony with the Provisions of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Only a government supported by the will
of the majority and committed to the maintenance of Iran's
territorial integrity, national interest and peaceful coexistence within the
international community, which is also mindful of its own cultural heritage and
economic advantages can lead the country to the shores of eventual salvation.
In order to achieve such an end, the
drafting of a new national constitution and the choosing of a popular system of
government is the first imperative step. The experiences of the past eight
years demonstrate, in particular, that under the current constitution and its
designated system of government, the possibility of promoting any meaningful
reform in the country is inconceivable.
Therefore, mindful that the
Constitution of the Islamic Republic and the actions of its various
institutions:
stand in stark
contradiction to the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and the rights and individual liberties of all citizens;
Foster inequalities amongst Iranian
citizens while promoting religious, ideological and gender discrimination.
Also, by adopting a system of government based on religious despotism, it
effectively deprives the Iranian people of their right to popular sovereignty.
Place serious barriers to progress in
all fields, such as economic development and the promotion of social justice in
Iran.
And finally prevent the integration of Iran
with the wider community of free nations, thereby compromising the interests of
Iran in the
sphere of foreign and diplomatic relations.
We, the signatories of this appeal,
wish to call for the staging of a national referendum with the free
participation of the Iranian people, under the supervision of appropriate
international institutions and observers, for the drafting of a new constitution
that is compatible with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all its
associated covenants. We ask all patriotic and progress seeking people of Iran
to support this appeal with their signatures so that the true voice and
sentiments of the Iranian nation may be loudly proclaimed to the outside world.
