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UN scandal: Iran elected vice-president of social development despite human rights violations

Iran has been elected vice-president of the UN Commission for Social Development, sparking fierce controversy over its violations of women’s rights and constant repression of protests

Tehran’s election and international controversy – The Islamic Republic of Iran has been elected vice-chair of the UN Commission for Social Development. The election was approved without objection during a meeting of the commission at the UN headquarters in New York. Iranian representative Abbas Tajik will be one of the vice-chairs of the 65th session of the commission, which advises the UN on issues related to social development.

Criticism for human rights violations

Human rights activists and political analysts have condemned the decision, pointing out the inconsistency of appointing Tehran to a key role in a body that promotes democracy, gender equality and non-violence. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been criticised for congratulating Iran on the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Reactions from the United States and international observers

US Ambassador Mike Waltz called the commission ‘ridiculous’, while Alireza Jafarzadeh said: ‘Having the Iranian regime at the helm of a UN body tasked with promoting democracy is frightening, like putting a fox in charge of the henhouse.’

The internal situation in Iran

‘The vast majority of the Iranian people are calling for regime change because the mullahs are the world’s leading violators of human rights,’ Jafarzadeh added, denouncing the massacre of thousands of dissidents. Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, called the election ‘a mockery’ given the regime’s repressive policies towards women and civilians.

Symbolic impact for Iranian women

Lisa Daftari emphasised the symbolic impact of the appointment: ‘For Iranian women who risk imprisonment or worse just for removing their headscarves, seeing Tehran have a vice-chair of a UN commission for social development is like a slap in the face.’

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