New York, 15 December 2022 (TDI): The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) voted on Wednesday to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
The decision succeeded 29-8, with 16 abstentions, and is effective for the remainder of the body’s current term, which runs from 2022 to 2026.
The development follows Iran’s brutal crackdown on rallies asking for justice for Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old woman who died in police detention in September.
Also read: UN Women express solidarity with Iranian Women
Grave concern over Iran’s practices
The document voiced grave concerns over Iran’s government’s conduct to continuously undermine and increasingly suppress the human rights of women and girls, often using excessive force.
In this vein, United States Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated, “UN Member States just voted to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women.”
Also read: US & Canada announce sanctions against Iran
Several leaders worldwide expressed their consent to the decision, including the Vice President of the US, Kamala Harris, and the Canadian Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly.
Recalling Mahsa Amini
Linda Greenfield applauded the brave front of the Iranian women and activists against the violence. She recalled Mahsa Amini & several other women who died at the hands of the morality police.
Remembering Mahsa, the Ambassador added, “We know she was killed for the crime of being a woman. And for too long, for too often, this was not unusual in Iran.”
Notably, Iran is under civil unrest after Mahsa’s death. The protests have claimed the lives of 450 people. Amir Nasr-Azadani, an Iranian football player is at risk of execution for involvement in the protests.
Iran criticizes resolution
Iran expressed unhappiness with the decision and had indicated that the measure would create an “unwelcome precedent”.
Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s UN representative, accused the US of acting like a tyrant and said the expulsion was illegal.
Russia voted against the motion, questioning the constitutionality of the measure. The country said they want to hear from UN legal experts whether ECOSOC could remove Iran from the panel.
