Double standards? Dutch columnist attack ‘hypocrisy’ of politicians commenting on Iran

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Double standards? Dutch columnist attack 'hypocrisy' of politicians commenting on Iran
Photo: Kreuzkoenig - Unsplash

An opinion article in the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant has criticised the “hypocrisy” of Dutch politicians who express support for women protesting against the Iranian government, whilst at the same time promote policies which undermine women’s rights in their own country. 

The article, written by Annemieke van Straalen, takes aim at the leaders of parties such as the SGP and the CU, who she alleges are complicit in the spread of disinformation and the increase in “anti-abortion noise” which has grown online. 

In particular, van Straalen points out how Gert-Jan Segers, the leader of the ChristenUnie party, took to Twitter at the end of September to express his support for the women who were risking their lives in the streets of Iran to fight for their freedom. However, his party have consistently worked to try to limit access to abortion in Netherlands. 

She also points out how the leader of the SGP, Kees van der Staaij, submitted a motion calling for further investigation into the death of Iranian feminist activist Jina Masha Amini. Yet she criticises that at the same time, der Staaij’s party have been active supporters of the pro-life movement, which runs counter to most feminist groups.


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