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German Foreign Minister: Annalena Baerbock
Photo: OZAN KOSE / AFP
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has sharply criticized the Iranian leadership's handling of the protests by women in the radically Islamic-run country.
"They have to be heard, because these women are demanding rights to which all people are entitled - nothing other than their inalienable human rights," said the Green politician on the fringes of the UN General Assembly in New York.
»This message must finally get through to everyone responsible.«
The protests were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in a hospital in Tehran on Friday.
Amini had previously been arrested by the Morality Police on charges of violating strict hijab regulations on women's dress.
“Again and again I am asked what does feminist foreign policy mean and why is it important?” said Baerbock.
"The death of Mahsa Amini illustrates this in a terribly tragic way: if women are not safe, no one is safe in a society." and cut their hair.
Three people are said to have died in the protests.
"The women who are now taking to the streets in Iran are demanding the freedom to develop themselves - and to do so without having to fear for their lives," Baerbock continued.
The Iranian authorities recently blamed an orchestrated campaign for the protests over the unexplained death.
It had been speculated on social media that Amini had been beaten and died as a result of the injuries.
Interior Minister Abdolresa Rahmani Fasli and the police rejected this account.
Nevertheless, the authorities initiated investigations.
czl/Reuters
