Labeling it “Orwellian,” the head of a U.N. watchdog expressed grave concern over the prospect of Iran’s potential membership on a key United Nations committee. This powerful group helps shape significant policies surrounding human rights, women’s rights, and counterterrorism efforts.
The U.N. General Assembly is scheduled for a decisive vote this November on Iran’s inclusion in the Committee for Programme and Coordination. This committee, composed of 34 member states serving three-year terms, is likely to see the vote as a mere formality, largely expected to succeed.
Though the committee doesn’t directly craft human rights treaties or condemn violations, it holds substantial sway over the administrative execution of human rights initiatives throughout the U.N.’s operations.
Despite Iran’s well-documented record of systematic human rights abuses, aggressive crackdowns on women, extensive surveillance, and lethal suppression of dissent, the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) put forth its nomination for Iran in April.
This November, Iran has the potential to gain a seat on the U.N. Committee for Programme and Coordination, impacting the global execution of human rights efforts. (Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images, File)
Global bodies also consider Tehran a leading state sponsor of terrorism that funds proxy militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. In addition, Tehran has attacked neighboring Gulf states in recent months amid a war with the United States.
“It’s the last government in the world that should have any influence,” Hillel Neuer, executive director of Geneva-based UN Watch, told News Media.
“Sadly, at the United Nations today — an organization founded after World War II out of great idealism to bring international peace — it is a case of the lunatics running the asylum,” Neuer added. “You have the Islamic Republic of Iran, a regime that beats, blinds, tortures, rapes, and imprisons women for standing up for their rights or showing a few strands of hair.”
News Media reached out to the Iranian Permanent Mission to the U.N. for comment.
Iran’s appointment would not be unprecedented. The U.N. Human Rights Council’s 47 member states currently include nations with severely criticized human rights records, including China, Cuba, Pakistan and Eritrea.
Maryam Shariatmadari is detained by Iranian security forces after removing her hijab in protest against mandatory veiling laws during the “Girls of Revolution Street” demonstrations in Tehran. Shariatmadari was later sentenced to prison for what authorities described as “encouraging corruption by removing her hijab.” (News Media)
“The United Nations speaks out in the name of values and principles such as human rights, democracy, freedom, equality and women’s rights,” Neuer said. “The reality is that, sadly, at least half the U.N. is made up of dictatorships.”
Tehran continues to brutally suppress basic freedoms. In July, two men were publicly hanged for participating in nationwide anti-government demonstrations, while hundreds more remain jailed or killed for demanding regime change.
Protests in Iran killed Rubina Aminian, a 23-year-old textile design student, who was shot in the head at close range during Tehran demonstrations, according to Iran Human Rights. (MAHSA / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images/ Iran Human Rights)
In addition, the U.N. has been accused of bias for heavily criticizing Israel’s military actions in Gaza, while often failing to pass formal resolutions or issue direct condemnations against Hamas.
According to Neuer, the most disappointing aspect of Iran’s potential committee appointment is the willingness of Western democracies to acquiesce.
“The short answer is interests, cynicism, politics, dealmaking, and a culture of ‘go along to get along,'” Neuer said. “If you are the French, Canadian, or German ambassador, you don’t want to pick a fight with dozens of countries or trigger friction with Iran. They would rather simply avoid it.”