Iran removed from UN Commission on the Status of Women — Global Issues
The development follows the country’s brutal crackdown on protests calling for justice for Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody in September.
CSW meets annually in March at United Nations Headquarters in New York and has been described as the largest gathering of gender equality advocates in the world.
‘Deep concern’ over Iran’s actions
The United States introduced the resolution, received 29 votes in favor and 8 against, with 16 countries abstaining.
Document express serious concern about the Iranian Government’s actions since September 2022 “repeatedly undermining and increasingly repressing the human rights of women and girls”, and “often using excessive force”.
Speaking before the vote, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield called for CSW The first United Nations agency to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“It can’t do its important job if it’s sabotaged from within,” she said. “Iran’s membership at this time is an ugly stain on the credibility of the Commission.”
Remembering Mahsa Amini
The Ambassador commended Iranian activists, both in the chamber and around the world, for their courage, foresight, sacrifice and leadership.
She recounted that Mahsa Amini was charged by the “ethical police” in the Iranian capital Tehran on September 13, who accused her of improperly wearing a headscarf.
The young woman is said to have been beaten on her way to custody. She fell into a coma and died three days later.
“We know she was killed for being a woman. And for too long, too often, this is not unusual in Iran,” Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said.
Iran rejected the resolution
Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Jalil Iravani said before the vote that Iran “unequivocally rejects and strongly condemns” the draft resolution.
“It is not surprising that the United States took such illegal action against Iran, given its long-standing hostility towards the Iranian people, but if taken, it would be extremely dangerous,” he said. danger to the integrity of the United Nations system”.
Introduction to CSW
The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was established in 1946 and has become instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the realities of women’s lives around the world and shaping standards. on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Its 45 members are elected by ECOSOCbased on a fair geographical distribution and served for four years.