Recent speech by Bijan Jirsaraei, Iranian-German representative in the German Parliament
Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, a revolution is taking shape before our eyes.
The world around us is turning a blind eye to this event. The brutal murder of Mahsa Amini (Zina) was the beginning of this event. For weeks, thousands of women and men in different cities of Iran have taken to the streets to fight for their rights after decades of oppression.
Women are the engine of this social movement, followed by men and children facing armed security forces. A “Enough, enough is enough” shakes the entire country. Those in power tremble and block access to the internet to suppress the protests in the dark and away from the world’s gaze and attention.
But the more they strike, the more the people's anger becomes apparent. The protests continue, but the world turns a blind eye. Their voices are not heard.
All I get is this message:
“Be our voice, we will do whatever we can.” Yes, they do. They give their lives, with a courage that words cannot express. A courage that you and I have never had!
When one of these young people leaves home, his mother doesn't know if he will ever return! Death, detention, torture, anything is possible.
Iranians abroad are brave and taking risks in other countries. By participating in rallies, posting every post, and giving every speech, they are putting themselves and their families at risk. Why do we do this?!
Because we Iranians fight for rights that were given to you and me simply because of our place of birth; without us having any part in earning them. We even sometimes trample on them!
Because Iranians believe in the values that "we" in Europe write and promote on flags. The values that have kept us Europeans together.
Freedom, democracy, equal rights, they believe in these values. The question is, do we Europeans still believe in these ourselves?
What is the reason for our continued silence?!
Although "politics" is often a complex matter, right or wrong in this area is clear.
A regime that shoots its own children has lost and is at a dead end.
So where is international feminism in supporting and accompanying this unique and extraordinary movement? Where is the solidarity of academics and academic groups?
When students are being stalked and shot on campus, only objective and intelligent attention and support can save lives.
Speaker to the AfD:
You shouldn't say anything! You film anti-regime protesters and broadcast them, knowing that it will end up to their detriment!
Now only objective and intelligent attention and support will save lives. The regime relies on our inattention, because we have turned our backs.
As much as Iranian society feels unbearably lonely, each unity will have a greater impact. I am grateful to my own party, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD Hamburg), for making its position clear from day one. Also to my colleagues who are coming to the demonstrations. You don't know what a good effect this has (how it makes you feel better). Thank you, but it's not enough!
We must now send clearer signals, because the international community has been blatantly silent in the face of the images. We all need to know that the war that is taking place in the streets of Tehran and many other cities is also our war.
It is nothing less than proving the sincerity of our intentions. I want us to confront ourselves with these questions:
- Are we on the right track in our foreign policy or have we gone astray? Just as we were caught off guard in Russia and Afghanistan (although we have experts in this field!), how were we able to make changes in our foreign policy when the Russian attack happened? Why can't we take it seriously now?!
- How is it possible to impose sanctions on Russian oligarchs that hit their leaders and their families so quickly, while sanctions against Iran have only hit crime so far, while the rulers even benefit from the sanctions and their families live in the height of luxury and prosperity?!
- Isn't this a slap in the face of the protesters, when at this very moment a nuclear deal is being made with a criminal government?!
- Could it be that those in power think we won't look carefully? Or that we will be ready to give up our values for fear of further crises and economic reasons?
What else can we do? Putting ourselves in front of these questions, evaluating and answering them again, takes courage. A courage that is far less than what the people of Iran have.
But if we manage to show courage, we will not only have helped the Iranian people, but we will have also defended the purity of our intentions.
So can we. We Europeans can proudly utter a slogan that resonates at this moment:
Don't be afraid, don't be afraid – we're all in this together.
The woman of Azadi's life - Zhen Xian Azadi
