Yesterday we wrote to the Governing Mayor of Berlin. He intends to receive the Mayor of Tehran tomorrow and has scheduled a photo opportunity with the press for the occasion. In doing so he strengthens a regime whose values run diametrically counter to those of Berlin in particular. Here is our letter: ——————————————————————————————- Dear Governing Mayor of Berlin Müller, we learned with dismay that on Friday, 6 September 2019, you will be receiving Prooz Hanachi, Mayor of the Iranian capital Tehran, and the new Iranian ambassador Mahmoud Farazandeh at the Rotes Rathaus, Berlin’s city hall (1). According to the news agency ISNA, Hanachi is said to have been a member of the Revolutionary Guards, which are classified as a terrorist group by the USA. He also took part once again this year in the anti-Israeli Quds march (2). This likewise took place in Berlin and represents a medley of antisemites of the most varied stripes. Senator for the Interior Geisel, too, demonstrated against the march. The Iranian regime is known above all for its worldwide financing and promotion of terrorism and for destabilising the entire Near and Middle East. The regime spreads hatred against Israel and Jews, brutally persecutes homosexuals and dissenters and systematically oppresses women. We regard this as diametrically opposed to how the Land of Berlin sees itself and, still more, to the kind of coexistence we consider desirable. As Germany’s capital, Berlin also bears a particular responsibility, since it is perceived internationally and has a signalling effect. We appreciate that one may wish to try to influence matters for the better through contacts and talks. We would, however, ask you to consider that it is essential to avoid producing images of this visit which the Iranian regime could use as legitimation and as a mark of respect. Such a visit should instead be used to voice sharp criticism of the extensive abuses in Iran and in particular in the capital Tehran. Please be aware that, rather than strengthening the democratic opposition, this visit will further stabilise and legitimise the mullah regime. Such a visit is a slap in the face to all those who campaign worldwide for the fight against antisemitism, for equal rights and for human rights. As an alternative approach, you could, for example, convene a press conference after the meeting at which you set out what your critical points to your guest were (such as these guests’ antisemitism) and what you subsequently expect of them. This visit leaves a further bitter aftertaste – not least in connection with the problematic composition of the advisory board of the future Institute for Islamic Theology at the Humboldt University, staffed by the IGS.
- (https://www.berlin.de/rbmskzl/aktuelles/termine/).
- https://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/politik-ausland/teherans-buergermeister-warum-empfaengt-berlin-einen-islamisten-64401472.bild.html
Yours sincerely Dr Elio Adler – Chairman of the Board – Here is the Governing Mayor’s reply:
Dear Dr Adler, on behalf of the Governing Mayor I thank you for your email of 4 September 2019 concerning the planned working meeting with Mayor Dr Hanachi. Mr Müller asked me to reply to you. Let me first emphasise that the Governing Mayor takes your objections regarding human rights violations, antisemitism and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in Iran very seriously. The city of Berlin thrives on an engaged citizenry that examines public life critically and speaks out on such matters. Berlin also stands for the equality of all people, for the appreciation of diversity and for democracy. These values are not negotiable. As a consequence, however, this also means making critical dialogue possible with people who think differently, and upholding these principles robustly in the process. This becomes particularly striking in the context of the Governing Mayor’s presidency of the international city network Metropolis. The network brings together 138 metropolises from every continent and from very different political and cultural contexts. Tehran, too, has been a member of Metropolis for 27 years and forms part of the network’s democratically operating board. A key aim of Metropolis’s work is to improve the living conditions of the inhabitants of the network’s member cities. The members therefore exchange views on technical and urban policy questions and learn together. After weighing all the facts and after consulting, among others, the Auswärtiges Amt (the German Federal Foreign Office), it was decided that there will be room for critical dialogue with Mr Hanachi in Berlin. Such dialogue is the basis for change and an integral part of an open society. The Governing Mayor has always made clear that Israel’s right to exist is inviolable. He champions diversity and the equality of all people. He will represent this stance with commitment in his conversation with Dr Hanachi and in future too. Yours sincerely, on behalf of the Governing Mayor, Andreas Psiorz, Head of Citizens’ Advice
