German envoy called out for ‘lecture’ on civil rights

Chants of ‘Free, Free Palestine’ filled the air

Our Correspondent April 27, 2024

German Ambassador Alfred Grannas addressing Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore on Saturday, April 27, 2024. SCREENGRAB

LAHORE :

At the civil rights conference in Lahore, pro-Palestinian youth vociferously expressed their solidarity with the people of Gaza, disrupting the speech of German Ambassador Alfred Grannas on Saturday.
The 5th Asma Jahangir Conference, themed “People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil Rights in South Asia” commenced at a local hotel in Lahore, drawing notable figures and foreign diplomats.
Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazir Tarar and Senior Supreme Court Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah were among the attendees.

Organised jointly by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), the two-day conference saw a spirited intervention during Ambassador Grannas' address. As he began speaking, several young attendees stood up, engaging in a spirited dialogue.

One protester challenged the ambassador, stating, “Excuse me, Mr ambassador. I am appalled by the audacity of discussing civil rights while your country is accused of brutalities against Palestinians”.

Echoes of support for Gaza and Palestine reverberated through the venue, drawing applause and cheers from the audience. Chants of “Free, Free Palestine” and “From the River to the Sea” filled the air.

In response to the youth's fervent expressions, the German ambassador lost control and scolded them, saying,

“Shouting is not dialogue… if you wish to shout, do so outside… shame on you”.

Subsequently, conference organisers expelled the vocal youth advocating for Palestine. The event's livestream briefly muted Grannas' remarks and was temporarily disabled.

The Progressive Students Collective (PSC) condemned the suppression of dissent, highlighting the youth's confrontation with the ambassador over Germany's role in Gaza.

Criticising the conference organisers, the PSC accused them of stifling student voices while providing a platform to proponents of Palestinian oppression.

Former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Ahsan Bhoon, speaking at the Asma Jahangir Conference, underscored the global crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests, noting Asma Jahangir's legacy of resistance against authoritarianism throughout her career.