German Ambassador 'Loses His Cool' Over Pro-Palestine Protest at Rights Conference in Pakistan

Lahore, Pakistan - A pro-Palestine protester disrupted German Ambassador Alfred Grannas' speech on civil rights during the 5th Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore on Saturday. The protester expressed shock at the ambassador's presence, accusing Germany of "brutally mistreating the people advocating for the rights of the Palestinians." The interruption drew applause and chants of "Free, Free Palestine" from the crowd.

Ambassador Grannas acknowledged the protester's comments, stating that "shouting is not a discussion." He went on to discuss the importance of the judiciary in safeguarding rights and interpreting the law to the people's benefit. Grannas cited examples such as the ending of the "infamous two-finger testing in rape cases" as a positive development in Pakistan's legal system.

The German ambassador praised the Pakistani courts and emphasized the need for intellectual and academic discussions to inspire the courts in protecting and developing basic human rights. He highlighted the role of the judiciary in upholding civil liberties and ensuring justice for all citizens.

Why this matters: The incident at the Asma Jahangir Conference highlights the ongoing tensions and global debates surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also raises questions about the role of foreign diplomats in addressing sensitive political issues while engaging in discussions on human rights and civil liberties.

Despite the interruption, Ambassador Grannas continued his speech, focusing on the importance of the judiciary in safeguarding civil rights. He commended the Pakistani courts for their efforts in ending controversial practices and called for further intellectual discourse to inspire the courts in protecting and developing basic human rights in the country.

Key Takeaways

• Pro-Palestine protester disrupted German ambassador's speech in Lahore, Pakistan.
• Protester accused Germany of "brutally mistreating" Palestinians, drawing applause.
• Ambassador acknowledged protest but stated "shouting is not a discussion".
• Ambassador praised Pakistani courts for ending "two-finger testing" in rape cases.
• Incident highlights tensions over Israeli-Palestinian conflict and role of diplomats.