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The World Economic Forum said on Monday that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will not attend this year’s annual meeting in Davos.
“Although he was invited last fall, the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks means that it is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year,” Politico quoted the Switzerland-based international advocacy NGO saying in a statement posted on social media.
The announcement came a day after US-based NGO United Against Nuclear Iran said it had learned that Araghchi had been “quietly added to the schedule for a speaking slot.”
Iran has come under international criticism in recent weeks following a violent crackdown on anti-government protests, which activists say left more than 3,900 people dead, according to the Associated Press.
Araghchi has denounced the protesters’ actions as “violent riots.”
Hours before the Swiss forum’s announcement, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham slammed organisers for having invited Tehran’s top diplomat.
“I am sure an invite to the Iranian Foreign Minister to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos will be a morale booster to the protestors who are dying in the streets to attain the liberties and freedoms Europe takes for granted — maybe not. For those in charge of these programs, what the hell are you thinking?” Graham said.
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View AllHe added: “Inviting the Iranian Foreign Minister to speak now would be akin to inviting Hitler to a world event after Kristallnacht. This decision gives tone deaf a new meaning.”
The WEF runs from January 19-23. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech on Wednesday.
The Munich Security Conference also said last Friday it had disinvited Iranian representatives, including Araghchi.
With inputs from agencies
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