Representatives and senior officials of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), meeting on the sidelines of the Second Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians in Belgrade, expressed sympathy with the families of the victims of the Minab school tragedy and condemned the incident during discussions with Iranian MP Elham Azad, a member of the IPU Executive Committee in the Iranian Parliament.
High-Level Meetings on the Sidelines of the Belgrade Conference
Elham Azad, a member of the IPU Executive Committee representing Iran’s Parliament, held a series of meetings with senior IPU officials and parliamentary counterparts from various countries during the conference in Belgrade. The gathering brought together hundreds of participants from more than 60 countries to discuss women’s political participation and parliamentary cooperation.
IPU Secretary General Condemns Violence Against Women and Children
During a meeting with Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Azad raised concerns regarding the attack on the Minab school.
Chungong expressed deep regret over the tragedy, stating:
“This event is deeply distressing. Violence against people, especially women and children, is never acceptable.”
Martin Chungong has served as the eighth Secretary General of the IPU since 2014 and is the first African and first non-European to hold the position in the organization’s history.
IPU President Extends Condolences to Iran
Azad also met with Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Expressing sympathy for developments affecting Iran, Ackson said:
“I was deeply saddened by the issues that have arisen for Iran. I extend my condolences to the Iranian people and to their representatives in the Islamic Consultative Assembly. We have taken steps regarding the condemnation of the military attack against Iran.”
Ackson emphasized the importance of dialogue and international parliamentary cooperation in addressing global challenges.
Mexican Parliamentary Leader Voices Support
In a separate meeting, Cynthia López Castro, President of the IPU Bureau of Women Parliamentarians and a member of the Mexican Congress, expressed solidarity with Iran.
According to Azad, López Castro noted that the Mexican Parliament had issued a statement condemning violent actions targeting the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab.
Addressing the Iranian representative, she stated:
“We are with you in our hearts, and we pray for you.”
López Castro serves as one of the leading voices within the IPU on women’s parliamentary engagement and international cooperation.
Iran Reaffirms Its Position
Responding to the messages of support, Azad thanked her international counterparts for their expressions of solidarity.
She stressed that Iran would continue to oppose what it views as coercive policies by the United States and Israel and would respond firmly to actions it considers violations of international norms.
Broad International Support from Parliamentary Delegations
On the sidelines of the conference, Azad also met with parliamentary representatives from Russia, Indonesia, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Peru, and Namibia.
According to the Iranian delegation, participants expressed sympathy with the Iranian people, welcomed Iran’s participation in the conference, and emphasized the importance of continued parliamentary dialogue and cooperation.
Global Parliamentary Leaders Gather in Belgrade
The conference featured the participation of women speakers of parliament and senior parliamentary leaders from countries including Hungary, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, and the Kingdom of Lesotho. Senior officials from international parliamentary organizations were also present, including the IPU President, Secretary General, Secretary General-elect, and the President of the IPU Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, alongside leaders from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.