Iran no defender of women's rights

Toronto Sun - Nope, it's not from a parody website. This is real news: "Iran wins seat on UN body that presses for women's rights." That's an actual headline from the Washington Times.

The Islamic Republic of Iran was elected to several United Nations human rights committees last week, including receiving a four-year term on the Commission on the Status of Women.

"It is a black day for human rights," said UN Watch's Hillel Neuer.

No kidding.

Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, pointed to Iran's human rights abuses and called the committee appointments a "particularly troubling outcome." Iran hit back, calling these "baseless accusations." Oh, really? Yet it was only this April 14 that a UN independent expert called on Iran to halt the hanging execution of a young woman.

In 2007 interior designer Reyhaneh Jabbari was sexually assaulted by an Iranian intelligence officer. Apparently he lured her to his apartment on the pretence of doing work for him. Jabbari confessed to stabbing the man in self-defence.

And they talk about victim-blaming over here!

Then there's this: Every spring, morality police take to the street's in Iran to punish "bad hijab." This isn't to punish women for parading around topless. The infractions are as minor as showing a bit of hair.

Some may argue being on the commission might encourage Iran to rise to the occasion.

But here's the rub: Iran is actually being re-elected. They've been a member since 2011.

The first term certainly hasn't helped Jabbari or those harassed on "bad hijab" day.

The purpose of the women's commission is to "set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide." Now there are currently women's rights activists in Iran and we wish them well. But they will not be the voices represented at this committee.

While some people want to ignore how ridiculous the UN has become, Canada has taken a stand in the past and must again.

Our delegates have walked out to protest former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speeches at the UN.

We're not currently a member of the women's commission, but we need to keep sending such messages.

No more moral relativism at the UN.

Photo: interior designer Reyhaneh Jabbari