UN taps Islamic Republic of Iran to chair Human Rights Council Social Forum, sparks outrage

The Islamic Republic of Iran is set to chair the United Nations' Council Social Human Rights Forum on Thursday and Friday, in accordance with the organization's regional rotation procedure.

Given the nation's record in regard to human rights, namely the rights of women, the move has garnered criticism from politicians and citizens all over the world.

Islamic regime ambassador Ali Bahreini was appointed in May to lead the forum, which will take place on November 2 and 3 and focus on "the contribution of science, technology and innovation to the promotion of human rights."

As UN Watch's Hillel Neuer reported at the time, Iran has a history of going after those who use social media to criticize not only the regime, but religion and other issues plaguing the country.

The watchdog group quickly launched a petition aimed at preventing Bahreini from chairing the forum, and it has since received over 100,000 signatures.

"We ask the UN: How can you elevate a regime that beats, blinds, tortures and rapes women who demand their rights?" the group wrote. "Where is the logic? Where is the morality?"

In June, Member of European Parliament Gianna Gancia called the move "nothing more than a slap in the face given the human rights situation of most Iranians, particularly women, and the repeated executions in the wake of the ongoing protests in the country."

She highlighted the Islamic Republic's "gross human rights violations and its catastrophic and politicized handling of the COVID-19 pandemic," namely "when its refusal to import Western vaccines cost hundreds of thousands of lives."

On Tuesday, Neuer reiterated his condemnation of the move, and called on EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, among others, to "take action."
 

"It's time for all democracies at the UN to stop legitimizing murderous regimes, in violation of the world body's founding principles, and instead to begin holding the perpetrators to account," he said.

"The murderous regime in Tehran is responsible for a surge in executions, disproportionately applied to minorities, and for oppressing women and girls. The recent death of 16-year-old Armita Geravand, after being assaulted on the subway by the Iranian morality police for not wearing the compulsory hijab, is a reminder that this is a cruel regime that does not belong on any UN human rights body, let alone as chair."

He said it was "unimaginable" that Ayatollah Khamenei's representative would be charing the forum, standing alongside other dignitaries.