BERLIN (AA) - A German government spokesman on Friday condemned the poisoning of Iranian schoolgirls which reportedly left hundreds sick and many hospitalized.
"The federal (German) government is shocked by the reports of poisoning of Iranian schoolgirls in Iran. We hope for a quick recovery of those affected and an end to these incidents," Wolfgang Buechner, a deputy government spokesman, told media representatives in Berlin.
"We fully share the demand for a complete investigation of the incidents. Physical integrity and equal access to education are human rights," he added.
Earlier in the day, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock joined international condemnation of the mysterious poisoning.
"Girls must be able to go to school without fear ... This is nothing less than their human right. All cases must be fully investigated," she said on Twitter.
More than 1,000 girls have reportedly been poisoned by toxic gas in Iran since November. Many poisoned girls have suffered respiratory problems, nausea, dizziness and fatigue.
Last week, Iran’s prosecutor general announced that he was opening a criminal investigation.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International and UNICEF issued statements on Thursday to condemn the "attacks."
Schoolgirls have been “at the forefront of protests," Amnesty said, adding that such "attacks" raise concerns of increasing gender-based violence against women and girls for standing up for their rights.