The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) condemns the violence against students and university staff who are peacefully demonstrating in Tehran and other cities in the country.

"We have been observing the situation in Iran with great concern for some time now, not least since the death of Mahsa Amini. Many university members, including numerous students as well as academics, are taking to the streets for their freedom, but also very specifically for respect for the rights of women. We strongly condemn the violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations, the cordoning off of universities and the suspension of courses," said DAAD President Prof. Dr Joybrato Mukherjee.

Against the background of a possible tightening of sanctions against Iran, the DAAD is coordinating with the Federal Government, member universities and the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) to clarify what consequences this could have for foreign science relations with Iran. "We stand in solidarity with the courageous students and university staff in their peaceful protests. We will therefore continue our efforts to support those civil society forces that stand up for individual and social freedom rights in Iran and for peaceful coexistence between states and cultures in the region. These have a particularly strong base at the country's universities," said the DAAD President.

The protests were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini around a fortnight ago. She had been arrested because of her allegedly "un-Islamic" clothing, fell into a coma in police custody under unexplained circumstances and died in a hospital on 16 September 2022.