SGR Statement, 14 March 2003

Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) opposes the planned US-UK attack on Iraq, citing the lack of UN backing, the potential for massive civilian casualties, and the use of indiscriminate weapons. The statement argues that the war would destabilise the Middle East and suggests that the financial resources required for the conflict would be better spent on global health, debt cancellation, and environmentally-friendly technologies.

• SGR argues that a US-UK attack on Iraq without UN backing or an imminent threat is an illegal aggressive act that violates the UN Charter. They express concern that UN weapons inspectors have not received sufficient time or resources, despite making progress in identifying and destroying illegal weapons.
• The planned attack is expected to cause tens of thousands of deaths, hundreds of thousands of injuries, and millions of refugees. SGR highlights the intended use of indiscriminate and hazardous weaponry, including area wide cluster munitions, the 21-ton MOAB bomb, radioactive and poisonous depleted uranium munitions, and fuel air explosives, alongside attacks on civilian electricity and water infrastructure.
• SGR suggests that the billions of pounds and dollars allocated for the war should instead be redirected toward humanitarian and environmental goals, such as providing clean water, cancelling Third-World debt, providing life-saving medicines, peace-building in conflict areas like Palestine and Kashmir, securing nuclear materials in Russia, and funding environmentally-friendly technologies.

APA

Scientists for Global Responsibility (2003). SGR Statement, 14 March 2003. https://www.sgr.org.uk/resources/scientists-condemn-us-uk-march-war-iraq

Chicago

Scientists for Global Responsibility. SGR Statement, 14 March 2003. 2003. https://www.sgr.org.uk/resources/scientists-condemn-us-uk-march-war-iraq.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Scientists for Global Responsibility |title=SGR Statement, 14 March 2003 |date=14 March 2003 |url=https://www.sgr.org.uk/resources/scientists-condemn-us-uk-march-war-iraq |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{scientistsforglobalresponsibility2003sgr, author = {{Scientists for Global Responsibility}}, title = {{SGR Statement, 14 March 2003}}, publisher = {Scientists for Global Responsibility}, year = {2003}, month = mar, url = {https://www.sgr.org.uk/resources/scientists-condemn-us-uk-march-war-iraq}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }