Critical Review of the IFSW Statement

Critical Review of the IFSW Statement: Addressing Iranian Concerns Beyond Social Workers’ Safety

The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) issued a statement expressing solidarity with the Iranian Association of Social Workers and the broader social work community in Iran, following “devastating attacks” that resulted in “tragic loss of colleagues and the targeting of civilian and humanitarian infrastructure.” This article provides a translation and critical evaluation of this statement, focusing on the genuine interests and security of the Iranian nation as a whole, rather than solely the lives of social workers. After all, social workers are inherently concerned with the well-being and security of all citizens, often prioritizing others’ safety over their own.

Summary and Translation of the IFSW Statement

The IFSW statement expresses solidarity with Iranian social workers and addresses recent attacks in Iran. Here are its key points:

• Solidarity: The IFSW expresses profound solidarity with the Iranian Association of Social Workers and the entire social work community in Iran, following “devastating attacks” that led to the “tragic loss of colleagues” and the “targeting of civilian and humanitarian infrastructure.”
• Attack on State Welfare Organization: With deep sadness and outrage, the IFSW highlights the deliberate attack on an office of the State Welfare Organization in Qasre Shirin on June 13, 2025. This facility, dedicated to providing vital services to older persons, people with disabilities, women, and children, was targeted, and one social worker colleague was killed in the assault. The statement emphasizes that this facility was used solely for humanitarian and social work purposes and had no military affiliation or function.
• Attack on Evin Prison: On June 23, 2025, five social workers lost their lives while performing their professional duties during an attack on Evin Prison in Tehran. This strike also claimed the lives of prisoners, visiting family members, medical personnel, legal advocates, and a five-year-old child, the son of one of the fallen social workers.
• Violation of International Law: The IFSW views these actions as a grave violation of international humanitarian law, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and its 1977 Additional Protocol (particularly Article 18), which protects civilian and humanitarian institutions during armed conflict.
• Praise for Social Workers’ Courage: Throughout these “harrowing events,” social workers in Iran have demonstrated extraordinary courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment by continuing to serve survivors, the injured, and the bereaved, often at great personal risk.
• IFSW’s Demands:
  • Condemnation: It condemns the deliberate targeting of humanitarian institutions and personnel, asserting that such attacks against social workers and the vulnerable populations they serve are clear violations of international law and moral responsibility.
  • Honoring Memory: It honors the memory of the social workers who lost their lives, recognizing their dedication, service, and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
  • Condolences: It extends heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, the Iranian Association of Social Workers, and all those affected by these senseless acts of violence.
  • Call to International Community: It calls upon the international community, including states, human rights organizations, and professional bodies, to strongly denounce these attacks and pursue full accountability in accordance with international law.
  • Reaffirmation of Values: It reaffirms the global social work community’s commitment to solidarity, peace, the protection of civilians, and the unwavering defense of human dignity and human rights.
• Final Support and Solidarity: In this time of deep sorrow and adversity, the IFSW sends its strength and compassion to all social workers in Iran, highlighting their bravery, professionalism, and humanity in the darkest of times. The global social work community stands united with them.

Critical Evaluation of the IFSW Statement: Focusing on the Interests and Security of the Iranian Nation

While the IFSW statement is commendable in many respects – its solidarity with Iranian social workers, condemnation of attacks on humanitarian and civilian entities, and emphasis on international law – a deeper, critical look reveals areas where it could more fully address the broader concerns of the Iranian nation, encompassing the security of all citizens.

Strengths:

1. Emphasis on International Law Violations: The focus on the violation of the Geneva Conventions and their Protocols is crucial. This part of the statement provides a strong legal framework for condemning the attacks and underscores the importance of protecting civilians and humanitarian institutions in all circumstances.
2. Solidarity with Social Workers: Expressing empathy and solidarity with Iranian social workers, who are on the frontline of service delivery and at significant risk, helps boost their morale and provides vital support. This moral support is highly valued by the Iranian social work community.
3. Condemnation of Attacks on Humanitarian Infrastructure: Highlighting the attack on the State Welfare Organization and its civilian nature demonstrates that the IFSW recognizes the importance of maintaining vital services for the most vulnerable populations.
4. Call to the International Community: The appeal to the global community for condemnation and accountability is an important step in increasing international pressure and preventing the recurrence of such incidents.

Points for Critique and Concerns Regarding the Iranian Nation’s Interests:

1. Focus on Social Workers’ Lives vs. The General Population: As mentioned, social workers are inherently concerned with the lives and well-being of all people. The statement primarily focuses on “the tragic loss of colleagues” and “social workers losing their lives.” While this is natural and understandable, to fully reflect the concerns of Iranian social workers, it could have more strongly emphasized the security and general well-being of all members of the Iranian nation, whether service recipients or not. The attacks on Evin Prison, which led to the deaths of prisoners, their families, medical personnel, and even a five-year-old child, do touch upon this broader scope, but the overall framework of the statement remains centered on “colleagues.” It could have explicitly stated that targeting any civilian, social worker or not, contradicts the fundamental values of social work.
2. Ambiguity Regarding the “Perpetrators”: The statement refers to “devastating attacks” and “deliberate targeting” but makes no mention of the identity or nature of the “perpetrators.” While this lack of specificity might be due to the IFSW’s diplomatic policies, it could diminish the statement’s impact and raise questions for the Iranian people about who is responsible for these atrocities. For victims, knowing the identity of the attackers and demanding accountability from them is of vital importance. In a situation where the Iranian people face numerous internal and external challenges, ambiguity in this regard can be more problematic than unifying.
3. “Attacks” vs. “Terrorist Attacks”: The use of the term “attacks” can be comprehensive, but given the deliberate targeting of civilian and humanitarian centers and the indiscriminate killing of individuals (including children), perhaps using phrases like “terrorist attacks” or “acts of terrorism” could have more clearly conveyed the gravity of the tragedy and the violation of human rights. This would particularly be relevant if these attacks were indeed deliberate and non-state-sponsored.
4. Focus on “Reaction” Rather Than “Roots of Violence”: The statement is reactive, condemning incidents after they occur. However, social work, beyond crisis response, also focuses on prevention and addressing the root causes of problems. The statement could have implicitly or explicitly alluded to the necessity of addressing the root causes of violence and insecurity in the region and globally, as well as the role of social work in fostering lasting peace and stability. Such a preventative approach would ultimately benefit the security of all people in the long run.
5. Roles and Responsibilities Beyond “Mere Solidarity”: While “solidarity” is crucial, the IFSW, as a global body, can act beyond statements of solidarity. The statement could have hinted at more practical potentials for supporting social workers and the people of Iran, such as:
   • Providing psycho-social support for affected social workers.
   • Organizing international aid for the reconstruction of damaged welfare infrastructure.
   • Facilitating the exchange of experiences in crisis management and resilience.

Conclusion: A Necessary But Expandable Statement

The IFSW’s statement is an important step toward solidarity with the Iranian social work community and the condemnation of violence against civilians and humanitarian organizations. It raises the voice of the social work profession in condemning human rights violations and international law, making it valuable.

However, for this statement to fully reflect the profound concerns of Iranian social workers and to truly serve the interests and security of the entire Iranian nation, it could have been strengthened by a greater emphasis on the overall security of all citizens (not just social workers), more clarity regarding the nature of the perpetrators, and a call for more practical actions. Iranian social workers, above all, are concerned with the safety and well-being of all their compatriots, and any statement issued by a global body can be deeper and more comprehensive by taking this spirit of selflessness into account.

We hope such statements will pave the way for more effective international cooperation in promoting peace, security, and social justice for all nations, including the nation of Iran