TEHRAN- Iran's Representative to the Human Rights Council, Hamid Ahmadi, strongly criticized Germany's suitability as a member of the council, questioning its moral, human rights, and political credibility.

In response to recent remarks by the German Foreign Minister during the 55th session of the Human Rights Council, Ahmadi emphasized that Germany is not in a position to make recommendations to others in this regard.

During his address to the council, Ahmadi refuted accusations against Iran, highlighting Germany's own history of human rights violations both domestically and internationally. 

He particularly pointed out Germany's support for the  Israeli regime's onslaught, which he argued has exacerbated human suffering.

Ahmadi condemned Germany's backing of Israel, citing instances where German leaders expressed support for the Israeli government amidst international outcry over its actions in Gaza. 

He criticized Germany's disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians, especially women and girls, who have been adversely affected by Israeli military operations.

The Iranian representative underscored the destruction inflicted upon Gaza's infrastructure by Israeli forces and criticized Germany's continued support for Israel despite calls from the International Court of Justice to cease such actions.

In conclusion, Ahmadi asserted that Germany's track record disqualifies it from holding moral, human rights, and political credibility within the Human Rights Council, emphasizing that Germany's stance undermines its ability to advocate for human rights on the international stage.

Back in February 28, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s accusations against the Islamic Republic were categorically rejected by Iran as an inane attempt by the Berlin government to hide its backing for the Israeli occupation and its indifference to egregious human rights violations occurring throughout Palestinian territory. 

The Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that “it is a bitter irony that certain Western governments claim to be advocates of human rights, while they played a direct role in supplying and equipping the regime of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein with chemical warfare during its imposed war on Iran in the 1980s, and have now offered support for Israel’s massacre in Gaza.”

He went on to add, “Under the pretext of protecting human rights and yet by politicizing the matter, German authorities interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries, and at the same time, they bolster their own economy through stepped-up activities of their armament manufacturers.”

The spokesman cautioned German officials from misusing the human rights issue to further their own politically motivated agenda by employing humanitarian and phony gestures.

If Germany and its allies are really seeking to protect human rights, they should set up a special fact-finding committee to probe into Israel’s massacre of 30,000 defenseless civilians in Gaza, he pointed out.

The comments followed the German foreign minister’s appeal for an extension of a UN mission about the riots in Iran in 2022 during her speech to the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday in Geneva.

The UN Human Rights Council established the fictitious fact-finding mission on Iran in accordance with a resolution critical of Tehran that was approved during a special meeting in November of that year.

Iran denounced the resolution at the time, saying that such anti-Iranian actions were motivated by “multifaceted political goals.”

Tehran also said that it would not assist such a mission, emphasizing that a national fact-finding commission had already been established in the nation to investigate the occurrences.

Germany’s accusations on human rights concerns coincide with a societal backlash against anybody voicing support for the Palestinians, who have been subjected to Israel’s most recent violent aggression against them for almost five months. 

Berlin has seen fewer pro-Palestinian marches, and schools now have the authority to forbid the flying of Palestinian flags.

On the sidelines of the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Iranian foreign minister said that a ceasefire in Gaza has the potential to restore peace and security to the entire region.

Hossein Amir Abdollahian expressed concerns about what he perceived as U.S. hypocrisy regarding violence, emphasizing the need to end preferential treatment for Israel.
 
He also warned that unless the United States refrains from encouraging Israel to employ violent force in the Gaza Strip, regional peace will remain at risk.