KARACHI: Iran has been ousted from the UN women’s commission under the US-drafted resolution on Wednesday. Iran’s stance on women’s rights and recent controversial demonstrations have led the country into crackdowns, protests, and raids against activists.
The move was put forward by the US in a speech that highlighted Iran’s rigid position on women. The commission consists of 54 members centralized on women’s quality, gender rights, and empowering women. In a US-drafted resolution, the US demanded immediate removal of Iran from the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
The decision has been taken into consideration due to the ongoing protest for a 22-year-old girl, Mahsi Amini, who was killed over ‘morality’ by police. The nationwide protests have consequently invited brutal behavior by the police and paramilitary in Iran. A large number of activists, social workers, students, and women have taken to the streets of Iran for justice.
Linda Thomas Greenfield, US Ambassador to the United Nations said, that expulsion of Iran is a ‘right thing’. This step is crucial for the women suffering in Iran and sends out a strong message.
Masih Alinejad, Iranian journalist and an avid vocalist for women’s rights has called this a “victory” for all who are facing guns and bullets under the “gender apartheid state”.
Iran’s stance on the removal
Iran condemns the action as ‘baseless’ and ‘fabricated’, in the words of Amir Saeed Iravani, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN. Iravani had called the move ‘illegal’.
The Iranian Revolution that took place in 1979 replaced a secular Iran with a conservative and rigid nation. Since then the country has been facing strict laws and actions against women and freedom of speech. A 22-year Kurdish girl was being objected and taken into custody as per her dress code. Amini’s death stirred a revolt in Iran where more than 800 people have died since the protests.
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