Cassis rejects criticism of the Iranian ambassador

Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (61, FDP) has once again rejected criticism of the Swiss ambassador to Iran. According to the Federal Council, Nadine Olivieri Lozano’s visit to a mosque was essential.

Together with Islamic clerics, the diplomat visited a shrine in the Iranian city of Qom last week – dressed in a black veil. She was accused of using the visit to legitimize the mullahs’ regime. Media loyal to the government exploited the image of the veiled Swiss diplomat for propaganda purposes.

Cassis says he stands by the fact that he sent a Swiss ambassador to Tehran. This is a strong symbol for women’s rights, Cassis explained to the press in Geneva on Monday on the sidelines of the UN Human Rights Council meeting.

‘The best solution would have been to send a man’

“The best solution would have been to send a man. But would that have been the right signal?” Cassis said. He had come to the conclusion that a woman as ambassador to Tehran would send an important message, despite the “difficulties” of such situations.

For him, there is no question of canceling visits where the Swiss ambassador has to wear a chador. Since Switzerland defends fundamental freedoms, it must also accept that such situations are picked up in the media and social networks. (SDA)

Source:Blick