Thaer became a human rights defender | Madrid

Qashqawi began his studies in geography, but left it to study law and major in human rights. In 1988 he entered his country’s diplomacy. He started in charge of relations with the United Kingdom, but after only two years he became an MP for Tehran in the Iranian Parliament and was a member of the parliamentary group in support of human rights. And he held the position of deputy for the second time after switching his position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Having been ambassador to Kazakhstan and Sweden, he was a foreign ministry spokesperson and deputy minister – similar to the Spanish foreign minister – which allowed him direct contact with journalists. At the end of 2018, he settled in his current position in Madrid.

The ambassador speaks Persian, Arabic, English, and understands Russian. He is now studying Spanish, which he admits is difficult. He admitted with a smile “above all, the articles and the fact that the names have gender.” The population of the Iranian colony in Spain is about 14,000, 3000 of whom live in the community of Madrid. His profile is “wealthy residents and university professors interested in Spain”, as well as investors in real estate, hotels and restaurants, especially in the southern part of the peninsula.

Diplomatic relations between Spain and Iran are among the oldest to be documented. They date back more than 400 years, according to Qashqawi. There are reports of the exchange of ambassadors between King Philip III and Sha Abbas the Great. A few years ago it was shown in two fairs in Madrid and Alicante. “It is proud to be able to implement this position which has had so much history between the two countries,” says the diplomat in Persian, who later translated it to his press advisor.

Behind these relations is the Iranian nuclear race and the sanctions imposed by the United States (the United States). Qashqawi complains about the collapse of his country’s trade with Spain. If the trade balance between the two countries under the nuclear deal reaches 2,600 million euros, the Trump administration’s unilateral exit from the nuclear deal has now brought it to less than 200 million euros. It was mainly about importing agricultural technologies, such as greenhouses, from Spain. Gas pipelines, medical equipment and relocation of irrigation systems. On the contrary, Spain imports foods such as pistachios and saffron. Now is the arrival of Iranian oil. Now the ambassador hopes that the arrival of Joe Biden to the presidency of the United States will lead to an end to sanctions and the resumption of international trade for his country.

“The epidemic has hit us badly in our country and has worsened even more because these sanctions mean that many countries did not sell us medical supplies. Imports did not arrive,” the diplomat objected. In Spain, the virus did not cause any deaths in the Iranian colony. Four flights were chartered to transport us. Part of these visitors, in coordination with the Spanish authorities.

The Embassy and Consulate of Iran is located on Calle de Jérez, in Chamartín, along with other legations. Of course, Ghashghavi’s official headquarters are located in La Moraleja (Alcobendas), highlighting that both places are exceptional and that they allow you to enjoy “extraordinary” Madrid and practice your favorite sports – swimming and volleyball -. With recent snowfall, 30% of the embassy trees have fallen. It was as if he had broken part of our hearts because those samples had been there for a long time as embassy guards, “he adds. Qashqawy used to wander around the capital, especially in the city center, but where he says he feels” at home “is located in the small towns in the northern part. From the region, he says, “They are a bit like northern Iran, where I came, and I love them.” “I have to admit that I really liked the city when I visited it about five years ago as the deputy foreign minister,” he says.