Thursday, May 15th 2014

Conchita yesterday, Zarif today

STOP THE BOMB criticizes meeting of Austrian President Fischer with Iranian Foreign Minister

Today’s meeting of Austrian President Heinz Fischer with the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif was criticized by Stefan Schaden, spokesperson for the coalition STOP THE BOMB in Austria: "This week Fischer first basked in the glory of this year’s wonderful Eurovision Song Contest winner Conchita Wurst and touted Austria as an open-minded country. A few days later, however, without the slightest qualm he is eager to meet with the foreign minister of a regime that hangs gay people from cranes. In Iran, homosexuality is still punished with the death penalty. According to human rights organizations, several thousand individuals have been killed because of their sexual orientation since the Islamic revolution."

Said Stephan Grigat, Scientific Director of STOP THE BOMB: "The announced trip of President Fischer to Iran and his active contacts with the Holocaust denying regime are obviously dedicated to prepare future business deals for Austrian companies. Such deals enable the antisemitic, homophobic and misogynous regime in Tehran to remain in power and to continue its nuclear and missile programs."