Actions by the government of the Islamic Republic continue to undermine and increasingly suppress human rights – particularly those of women and girls – notably the right to freedom of expression and opinion, often with excessive use of force, ECOSOC said
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) today voted in favor of “immediate“Expulsion of Iran from the UN Commission on Position of Women (CSW), due to the suppression of the protests that have rocked the country since September.
ECOSOC, which oversees the CSW, decided with 29 votes in favor (16 abstentions and 8 votes against) expelling Tehran from that body for the remainder of its term until 2026, following the adoption of a resolution submitted by the United States — which has not had diplomatic relations with Iran since 1980 — and which had been supported for two months by an international petition.
The adopted text “expresses serious concern regarding the actions of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran since September 2022, which has continuously undermined and increasingly repressed human rights – especially of women and girls – notably the right to freedom of expression and opinion , often with excessive use of force“.
For these reasons, ECOSOC “decides to suspend with immediate effect the membership of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women, for the remainder of its term until 2026,” according to the UN resolution .
In an initial reaction, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby expressed satisfaction with this “significant” resolution considering “the way Iran continues to treat peaceful protesters in its country, primarily the women who started the these demonstrations”.
Iran has been the scene of protests since the death of young Iranian Kurd Mahsha Amini on September 16 after she was arrested in Tehran by morality police, who accused her of violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code for women. Since mid-September, thousands of people have been arrested and Iranian justice has carried out two executions.
Iran’s top security agency announced on December 3 that more than 200 people had been killed, including security personnel.
In early November, US Vice President Kamala Harris launched an initiative to remove Iran from the CSW. An appeal backed by former presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and an international petition have garnered more than 165,000 signatures.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said last week that Tehran “should not” participate in this body “which is tasked with promoting gender equality and the emancipation of women,” calling for its “removal his.
Iranian diplomacy accused Washington of pushing Iran to leave “with the help of some European countries”, an “illegal” step and with a “political purpose”.
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
