How do Iranians, exiled Iranians or people with Iranian roots living in the West observe the protests in Iran? With a questionnaire, we gather voices. This time: journalist Susan Zare.
The protests in Iran have been going on for weeks. With what feelings or thoughts are you currently observing them?
I observe the situation with hope and humility, but also pain. Hope, because an unprecedented situation has arisen. People from all over the country, from different ethnicities, social classes, religions and ages have a common goal for which they are fighting. Humility, because I want to kneel down before the courage of the women in particular. And pain, because my family, friends and the people in Iran are in a bad way. And we can do one thing above all here. Speak up for them.
Do you have direct contact with the people in Iran? If yes: What do you hear or read there?
My large family lives there, as well as many friends and acquaintances. I studied in Iran for half a year and spent a lot of time there. All this is no longer possible just by my words, but my deep wish is to see my family again, one day, in new freedom for them. Every day I hear a lot of information from the country and try to spread it in my work as a journalist.
In this country - in Germany as well as other Western countries - the topic is overshadowed in the media by other issues such as the Ukraine war. What needs to happen to change this?
I think we need a lot of education and understanding. Because, this is about our values.
It's about the rights of women, the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as very existential human rights. A system change of Iran would not only improve the lives of the people of Iran, but would improve the world a little bit and also help us in Germany concretely.
What is your prognosis: In which direction will Iran or the uprising develop in the coming months?
At this point, I would like to quote Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi. She said in an interview with Deutschlandfunk: "We are at the beginning of a revolution. And many of my colleagues also say: It is the point of no return. It is not a question of if - but when and how. Right now, we can only hope that the people of Iran will persevere in these catastrophic states of violence at the hands of the system.
Susan Zare is a German Iranian freelance presenter and radio journalist. For 15 years she has been presenting on the radio, in front of the camera, on stages and digitally on the net. She studied musicology and Iranian studies and completed a radio traineeship. For Deutschlandfunk, she regularly presents the travel and music program Sonntagsspaziergang, among other things, has already lent her voice to well-known audio books and advises clients on the subject of moderation and media training. She also campaigns for the rights of people in Iran through dialogue. Her passion besides her profession is music.