Iranian activist criticizes German Foreign Office
An activist from the Iranian opposition in exile has called off a meeting at the Federal Foreign Office and accused the German government of attempted censorship. She was told that the meeting should be kept secret and that she should not mention it in the media or on social media, Masih Alinejad wrote on the platform X (formerly Twitter).
The German government is helping the Islamic Republic of Iran to silence dissidents. The Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights, Luise Amtsberg, reacted with irritation. Confidentiality had been agreed before the planned meeting and both sides had agreed to this, she explained on X.
"I was looking forward to an open and honest exchange with Masih Alinejad today," wrote the Green politician, which is why she had invited them to the Foreign Ministry. "In my experience, confidential talks are more substantive," she continued. She regretted that Alinejad had made publication of the content of the meeting a condition.
I was looking forward to an open and honest exchange with Masih Alinejad @AlinejadMasih today, which is why I invited her to the Federal Foreign Office. Confidentiality was agreed in advance. Both sides agreed to this framework for our meeting. (1/4)
— Menschenrechtsbeauftragte Luise Amtsberg (@DEonHumanRights) November 30, 2023
"I am a women's rights activist and I stand for transparency," Alinejad wrote. "How ironic that the German government with its feminist foreign policy wants to meet with other feminists, but only in secret." She had canceled the meeting with the German government "because they tried to censor me".
Criticism from Röttgen
CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen criticized the ministry: "While this woman is brave enough to take on the Islamic regime of Iran, the Federal Foreign Office is too cowardly to show itself in public with her," he wrote on Twitter. This is shameful. "The people of Iran want freedom. They want to get rid of the regime. The least we have to do is listen to them and make life as difficult as possible for the mullahs."
The women's rights activist Alinejad is a well-known voice of the Iranian opposition in exile. For example, she was one of the signatories of a charter for a democratic Iran published in March. During her visit to Berlin, she met several German politicians, including Röttgen and, on Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir. "We talked about universal human rights, Islamism in & false tolerance among progressives," explained the Green politician on X.
The Federal Government's approach towards Masih Alinejad's meeting at the Federal Foreign Office raises concerns about their commitment to promoting free speech. Despite being a prominent Iranian activist and advocate for transparency, Alinejad was asked to keep the meeting secret and avoid discussing it publicly.
CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen strongly criticized the Federal Foreign Office's handling of the situation, stating that it's ironic for the German government, with its feminist foreign policy, to want to meet with female activists like Alinejad in secret.
Source: www.dpa.com
