With thanks to Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Iran is set to take its place as a
member of a 54-nation committee to safeguard human rights, despite the Islamic
Republic’s mass execution of protesters.
Iran will join the UN’s Committee for
Programme and Coordination after being selected by the body’s Economic and
Social Council, which comprises 54 nations.
Many countries, including the UK,
Australia, France and Canada, nominated Iran to join the committee. The only
country to vote against the nomination was the US.
The committee’s upcoming agenda
includes issues such as terrorism, women’s rights and gender equality, and
disarmament.
Iran’s selection comes as its
authorities continue a wide-ranging crackdown on dissent.
On January 8 and 9, security forces
opened fire on nationwide demonstrations, killing tens of thousands of
protesters. Estimates place the death toll between about 12,000 and more than
30,000 people over those two days.
The government has continued its
campaign in the months since, carrying out arrests and executions and enforcing
restrictions on women’s rights. Authorities have maintained policies that limit
basic freedoms and suppress opposition activity.
Tehran has also been cited for its
role in funding major terror organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, even as
it prepares to participate in discussions that include counterterrorism.
The Economic and Social Council’s
decision places Iran on a committee tasked with coordinating UN programs,
including those tied to human rights-related issues.
The UN’s Committee for Programme and
Coordination is a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council that
reviews and coordinates the United Nations’ work programs.
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