"The situation in Iran is worrying. We condemn the violence against students and academics demonstrating for freedom and women's rights," said Mandy Boehnke, Vice President for International Affairs, Academic Qualification, and Diversity at the University of Bremen.

"The fact that universities are being placed on lockdown and seminars are not taking place is also unacceptable. We declare our solidarity with the demonstrators who are standing up for peaceful coexistence and gender equality with their non-violent protests. We stand by all those who peacefully stand up for human rights and freedom and who defend themselves against oppression and discrimination. The University of Bremen therefore welcomes the DAAD's announcement that it will coordinate with the German government, other German universities, and the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) to clarify what consequences this could have for foreign academic relations with Iran.

The protests were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini around two weeks ago. Mahsa Amini was arrested by the morality police for a violation of the Islamic dress code and died under unexplained circumstances in custody.