World Economic Forum says it is ‘not right’ for Iran to attend Davos after deadly crackdown on protesters, withdrawing foreign minister’s invitation
DAVOS: Iran’s foreign minister will not attend the Davos summit this week, organisers said on Monday.
The World Economic Forum stated it would not be “right” for the Iranian government to be represented following the recent deadly crackdown on protesters.
Abbas Araghchi had been scheduled to speak on Tuesday during the annual gathering.
Activists had called for his disinvitation amid what rights groups termed a “massacre” in Iran.
“The Iranian Foreign Minister will not be attending Davos,” the World Economic Forum posted on X.
It added that the “tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks” made his attendance inappropriate.
Demonstrations sparked by economic hardship erupted into major protests late last December.
The rallies are seen as the biggest challenge to Iran’s leadership in recent years.
They subsided after a government crackdown under a communications blackout starting on January 8.
Norway-based Iran Human Rights says it has verified 3,428 protester deaths.
It confirmed cases through sources within Iran’s health system, witnesses and independent sources.
The NGO warned the true toll is likely far higher.
Media cannot independently confirm the figure, and Iranian officials have not given an exact death toll.
