New Green MP Golriz Ghahraman claims an Iranian agricultural delegation’s refusal to shake hands with a female Labour MP was not disrespectful.
In an opinion piece, Ghahraman said while she had spoken out about the oppressive Iranian regime in the past, Muslims “peacefully observing” law of not looking at or touching women was different.
Ghahraman, whose background is in human rights law, came to New Zealand from Iran as a child refugee.
Some Labour MPs took offence yesterday after they were told prior to a meeting with an Iranian delegation that it wouldn’t be appropriate for MP Jo Luxton, deputy chair of the Primary Production select committee, to approach the visitors to shake their hand.