Iran should be ‘removed’ from UN Women’s Commission according to human rights rapporteur

Iran should be removed from the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, according to the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran. 

BBC Newsnight presenter Victoria Derbyshire spoke to UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran Javaid Rehman about Tehran’s presence on the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Speaking on Newsnight Javaid Rehman said that Iran had “violated” the rights of women and girls in a “blatant” manner.

He said: “I am indeed calling for them to be removed because they have violated the rights of girls and women in such a blatant manner.

“They do not justify to be part of a body which is established in order to promote and protect the rights of girls and women across the globe.

“Therefore it is very important that Iran is removed from the commission on the status of women.”

It comes as the United States has reaffirmed its strong opposition to Iran’s place on the Commission.

Writing on Twitter on Sunday the US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that removing Iran from the body was the “right thing” to do.

She said: “The Iranian government should not be on the @UN_CSW – an international body dedicated to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.”

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She added “In our view, it cannot stand.”

Tehran recently started its four year term on the Commission which seeks to promote gender equality while also empowering women.

Since the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police Iran has been engulfed in anti-government protests.