Women's rights activists slam Iran's bid to join UN commission

Report by Radio Zamaneh

A group of Iranian women's right activists have written a letter to the United Nations to speak out against Iran's efforts in joining the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The letter calls on the United Nation's Economic and Social Council to deny Iran's bid for membership in the CSW.

police beats women during a protest gathering in Tehran (2007 file photo)

The Commission on the Status of Women is a functional commission of the United Nation's Economic and Social Council that "is dedicated to gender equality and advancement of women."

The letter calls on the Council to stop Iran's membership in the CSW or at least accept the bid only on the condition that Iran commits to International agreements on equal rights.

Last week Iran announced that it has withdrawn its bid for membership in the United Nation's Human Rights Council and instead announced its candidacy for the CSW.

Some of the women activists and journalists arrested
since the June 2009 presidential elections

The Iranian women's rights activists write that the membership of the Islamic Republic in this Commission "is a serious threat for the aims and ideals of the Commission and in contradiction to its nature as it is also a threat against peace, equality and global security."

The letter is signed by over 250 women's rights activists.

Women's rights and human rights activists have often accused Iran of violating the rights of women, ethnic and religious minorities, as well as ignoring international human rights conventions.

CSW membership elections are set for Wednesday. Roozonline reports that Pakistan and Thailand have retracted their candidacy for the empty seat at this Commission in favour of Iran and made Iran's membership in the CSW definitive at this point.

Activists demanding women's rights - Tehran, June 2009 (report)

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