V Slovenj Gradcu, mestu glasniku miru Združenih narodov, z globoko zaskrbljenostjo spremljamo nadaljnje zaostrovanje konflikta na Bližnjem vzhodu, zlasti po napadu Izraela na ozemlje Irana. Ta nevarna eskalacija predstavlja dodatno grožnjo svetovnemu miru, regionalni stabilnosti in že tako preobremenjenim humanitarnim sistemom.
Ob tem ne moremo prezreti dejstva, da v Gazi še naprej poteka nepopisna humanitarna katastrofa. Civilno prebivalstvo je žrtev neprestanega obstreljevanja, pomanjkanja osnovnih življenjskih potrebščin in popolnega kolapsa zdravstvenega sistema. Ljudje in še posebej otroci umirajo, ranjeni ostajajo brez pomoči, humanitarne organizacije pa zaradi blokad ne morejo več zagotavljati niti minimalnih pogojev za preživetje.
V luči naraščajočih napetosti med jedrskimi silami znova opozarjamo na nevarnost, ki jo za prihodnost človeštva predstavlja jedrsko orožje. Mestna občina Slovenj Gradec se kot članica mednarodnega združenja Mest glasnikov miru pridružuje pozivu Združenih narodov svetovnim voditeljem k takojšnji obnovitvi pogajanj o jedrskem dogovoru z Iranom, ki bi preprečil širjenje jedrskega orožja v regiji in krepil globalno varnost.
V okviru večletne kampanje IAPMC za popolno prepoved jedrskega orožja, saj je to trenutno še edino orožje za masovno uničevanje, ki ni prepovedano z mednarodnimi konvencijami, v mestih glasnikih miru delimo prepričanje, da svetovna varnost in ravnovesje ne smeta temeljiti na vzajemnih jedrskih grožnjah, temveč zgolj na diplomaciji, medsebojnem zaupanju in mednarodnem pravu.
Kot mesto, ki že desetletja goji in širi vrednote miru, dialoga, sožitja in solidarnosti med narodi, ponovno poudarjamo, da klic po miru ne sme biti preslišan. Mednarodna skupnost – še posebej Evropska unija in Združeni narodi – mora okrepiti diplomatske in ekonomske pritiske na agresorje in zaščititi civilno prebivalstvo ter ustaviti širjenje oboroženih konfliktov in vojne v bližnjevzhodni regiji, na ozemlju Ukrajine in na vseh drugih vojnih žariščih.
Pozivamo vse deležnike, da v mednarodnih forumih okrepijo pozive k takojšnji prekinitvi sovražnosti, zagotovijo humanitarni dostop do Gaze in podprejo vse pobude za dolgoročno mirovno rešitev, ki bo temeljila na spoštovanju človekovih pravic, mednarodnega prava in dostojanstva vseh narodov v regiji.
V Slovenj Gradcu, mestu glasniku miru, ostajamo zavezani vrednotam miru in človečnosti, v okviru Mednarodnega združenja mest glasnikov miru pa bomo te vrednote še naprej delili in po svojih močeh, kot glasniki miru, opozarjali na krivice in strahote, ki jih vojne prinašajo civilnemu prebivalstvu po vsem svetu.
Tilen Klugler,
župan Mestne občine Slovenj Gradec
In Slovenj Gradec, a Peace Messenger City of the United Nations, we are following with deep concern the continued escalation of conflict in the Middle East, particularly following Israel’s attack on Iranian territory. This dangerous escalation poses a further threat to global peace, regional stability, and already overstretched humanitarian systems.
At the same time, we cannot ignore the ongoing, unspeakable humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The civilian population is the victim of relentless bombardment, a lack of basic necessities, and the total collapse of the healthcare system. People—especially children—are dying; the wounded remain without care, and humanitarian organizations are unable to provide even the minimum conditions for survival due to blockades.
In light of rising tensions among nuclear powers, we once again draw attention to the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons to the future of humanity. The Municipality of Slovenj Gradec, as a proud member of the International Association of Peace Messenger Cities (IAPMC), joins the United Nations in urging world leaders to immediately resume negotiations for a renewed nuclear agreement with Iran. Such a treaty would help prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the region and strengthen global security.
This appeal is part of IAPMC’s long-standing campaign for the total prohibition of nuclear weapons, which remain the only weapons of mass destruction not yet universally banned by binding international conventions. As peace messenger cities, we share the conviction that global security and balance must never be based on mutual nuclear threats, but solely on diplomacy, mutual trust, and international law.
As a city that has, for decades, cultivated and promoted the values of peace, dialogue, coexistence, and solidarity among nations, we reiterate that the call for peace must not go unheard. The international community—particularly the European Union and the United Nations—must increase diplomatic and economic pressure on aggressors, protect civilian populations, and stop the spread of armed conflict and warfare, both in the Middle East, in Ukraine, and in all other conflict zones around the world.
We call on all stakeholders to amplify their calls within international forums for an immediate cessation of hostilities, ensure humanitarian access to Gaza, and support all initiatives aimed at a long-term peaceful resolution, grounded in respect for human rights, international law, and the dignity of all peoples in the region.
Here in Slovenj Gradec, a Peace Messenger City, we remain firmly committed to the values of peace and humanity. Within the International Association of Peace Messenger Cities, we will continue to uphold and share these values and, as peace messengers, raise our voices against the injustices and horrors that war inflicts upon civilians across the globe.
Tilen Klugler,
Mayor of Slovenj Gradec
Secretary General of the IAPMC
Foto: Majid Asgaripour/WANA via REUTERS