Iran Expelled from UN Women Agency... Supported by South Korea and 29 Other Countries

China and Russia Oppose

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Iran, which continues to carry out executions of protesters involved in the 'hijab suspicious death' case, has been expelled from the United Nations' women's agency. A resolution was passed with 29 countries, including South Korea, voting in favor, while China and Russia opposed it.

On the 14th (local time), the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held a meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York, where a resolution to expel Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), under ECOSOC, was approved with 29 countries voting in favor and 8 countries voting against. Sixteen countries abstained.

South Korea, a member of ECOSOC, voted in favor, aligning with Western countries such as the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Europe. China and Russia voted against the resolution.

The resolution, led by the United States, calls for the immediate expulsion of Iran from the CSW, preventing it from serving the remainder of its term until 2026.

The CSW, composed of representatives from 45 countries, submits reports on the improvement of women's status in political, economic, and social fields to the UN Economic and Social Council and recommends necessary measures.

Before the vote, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Ambassador to the UN, stated that Iran's membership in the CSW "stains the credibility of the commission" and urged, "Please vote to expel Iran from the commission for the sake of women and freedom."

In Iran, nationwide anti-government protests have continued for nearly three months following the suspicious death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested and investigated for not properly wearing a hijab last September. The government has intensified its crackdown, including sentencing and executing some arrested protesters to death, drawing increasing criticism from the international community.

The US government reiterated its stance to continue holding the Iranian government accountable following the vote results. Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor at the White House, issued a statement saying, "This vote signals a growing international consensus on holding Iran and the Iranian government accountable," and added, "We will cooperate with allied and partner countries to hold Iran accountable."

He further stated regarding the executions of protesters, "We reaffirm our determination to pursue all possible means to hold the Iranian government and officials responsible for these atrocities accountable."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said in a statement, "Today's vote sends a clear message of support from the world to the brave Iranian people, including women and girls," and added, "The United States is proud to have worked with partner countries in the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which holds values and missions that Iran mocks, to remove Iran."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.