Humanist Society condemns US and Israeli military strikes in Iran; calls for solidarity with Iranian citizens fighting theocratic rule

March 16, 2026

International

Humanist Society joins Humanists International in condemning US and Israeli military attacks on Iran, while reiterating support for domestic protests and resistance against the country’s theocratic rule.

Humanist Scotland condemns the recent military strikes on Iran conducted by the United States and Israel, beginning February 28 2026. These are unilateral actions which are likely to contravene the United Nations Charter article 2(4), which prohibits force or the threat of force against the territorial integrity of a state.

We are particularly concerned by mounting civilian death tolls from these attacks. International humanitarian law forbids military actions against civilians and civilisation infrastructure such as educational facilities.

We also join Humanists International in condemning the Iranian government’s ongoing human rights violations, including its persecution of religious minorities such as humanists. Our opposition to unlawful international wars does not contradict but rather mirrors our opposition to governments which violate their citizens’ human rights and persecute minority belief groups.

We support the following statement from Maggie Ardiente, President of Humanists International:

“As humanists, our commitment to human dignity requires us to consistently oppose oppression and violence. We reject the notion that unilateral military strikes are an acceptable solution to international conflicts, just as we firmly oppose the Iranian government’s suppression of its own people. War and foreign intervention are not the path to liberation. True progress and the vindication of universal human rights are found through accountability, justice, and adherence to international law, not in further violence.”

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