Iran Banned From UN Women's Rights Body; India Abstains On Vote

A UN women's rights body on Wednesday banned Iran for the remainder of its term for policies contrary to the rights of women and girls.

The 54 member UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) adapted US drafted resolution to "remove with immediate effect the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Commission on Status of Women (CSW)".

The resolution was backed by 29 votes, with eight including Russia and China against it and 16 abstentions, including India.

The text of the resolution states that Iran "continuously undermines and increasingly suppresses the human rights of girls... by administering policies flagrantly contrary to the human rights of women and girls".

Iran had just begun its four year term after being elected to the body in April.

While addressing the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda-Thomas Greenfield, said that removing Iran was the right thing to do here, and its membership was undermining the body from within.

The protests were followed by a brutal crackdown by the cleric-led state, with almost 500 dead, thousands arrested and 11 death sentences being handed out so far.

Iran has termed the resolution an "illegal request", while accusing USA of orchestrating its removal from the body. "This one sided action of the US... is an attempt to impose unilateral political demands and ignore electoral procedures in international institutions," said the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Earlier this month, the Iranian officials had signalled a move to ban the morality police, while there were signs that the strict hijab law would be reconsidered. However, the recent public execution of protestors has put to rest any speculations on sweeping reforms.

Also Read: Pro-Hijab Verdict Would Be Dog-whistle For Fundamentalists

- How Hijab Row Played Out In French Public Schools In 1989