Asma Jahangir Conference receives flak for expelling pro-Palestinian protestors
Asma Jahangir Conference that was held in Lahore over the weekend was disrupted by protests of pro-Palestine students during the German Ambassador’s speech. The Ambassador was there to speak about civil rights. He was interrupted by students calling him out for his country being complicit in the genocide by Israel in the Gaza Strip. To this, the ambassador responded, ‘If you want to shout, go out!'”. The students were reportedly expelled from the event.
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The move was heavily criticised by netizens all over the internet.
Pro palestine protestors call out German ambassador during his speech on civil rights pic.twitter.com/wIOShV5MQA
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) April 27, 2024
Founder of Digital Rights Foundation Nighat Dad spoke at the conference and condemned the act of expelling students as she said, “What happened yesterday should not be taken lightly, as this sets a very wrong example”.
The founder of @DigitalRightsPK, globally renowned digital rights activist @nighatdad condemns the forceful removal of @PSCollective_ members from #AJCONF2024 after they disrupted the ambassador’s speech to remind him of Germany’s role in Palestine while he talks about rights. pic.twitter.com/fQIjoYLKuG
— Haider Kaleem (@HaiderKaleemB) April 28, 2024
Ikram Ullah Maseed criticised the organizers of the conference by saying, “Shameful betrayal of Asma Jahangir’s legacy. If radical voices aren’t welcome, why hold the conference?”
Organizers of #AJCF assaulted @PSCLahore comrades for protesting against the inclusion of a genocide sympathizer and exclusion of vocal voices from the Peripheries. Shameful betrayal of Asma Jahangir's legacy. If radical voices aren't welcome, why hold the conference? pic.twitter.com/ixJv1FnnNV
— Ikram Ullah Maseed (@cheegha) April 27, 2024
Senator Allama Raja Nasir called out the organizers of the conference for blatantly banning the voices of dissent. “Germany’s systematic suppression of pro-Palestinian voices, including the banning of prominent speakers like former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, exposes a shameful bias and undermines the very foundations of democratic discourse.”
The German ambassador Alfred Grannas and Asma Jahangir conference organizers' brazen attempt to silence protesters and shut down dissenting voices is outrageous and deeply alarming. Their actions – shouting down students and forcibly removing them – constitute a blatant assault… pic.twitter.com/YKEs2NBHvU
— Senator Allama Raja Nasir (@AllamaRajaNasir) April 27, 2024
Journalist Arafat Mazhar who was one of the first to share the videos of the German Ambassador shutting down the protestors recently tweeted that, “Twitter has completely banned me from retweet or comments of on the video of German ambassador shouting at civil rights activist at the asma jahangir human rights conference”
Twitter has completely banned me from retweet or comments of on the video of german ambassador shouting at civil rights activist at the asma jahangir human rights conference pic.twitter.com/3osnCAhipE
— ArafatMazhar 🤖 (@ArafatMazhar) April 28, 2024
The protesting students, who belonged to Progressive Students’ Collective, released a statement calling out the German Ambassasor for speaking about human rights while the German government is supporting Israel in its aggression and genocide in Gaza.
A detailed video statement by Progressive Students' Collective regarding the protest against German Ambassador at Asma Jahangir Conference Lahore.
— Progressive Students’ Collective (@PSCollective_) April 27, 2024
PSC is going to organize Palestine Solidarity Protest against the genocide of Palestinians at the hands of Israel.#AJCONF24 pic.twitter.com/T3OXDaIwti
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