West practices selective application of human rights: Iranian UN envoy

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English + Agencies
21 Oct 2022 18:08

Iran's Deputy Representative to the UN Zahra Ershadi accuses Western states of making baseless accusations against Iran regarding women's rights in the country.

Iran's Deputy Representative to the UN Zahra Ershadi

During the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace, and Security held on Thursday, the Iranian Deputy Representative to the council, Zahra Ershadi, criticized and condemned the West for politicizing women's rights issues.

Ershadi slammed the baseless accusations made by Western countries toward Iran stating that "while claiming the support the right of Iranian women," Western states have "misused this chamber to make unfounded allegations" against Iran.

"We denounce these allegations which are nothing more than a political attempt to politicize women's rights because we see no good faith or genuine in these states' to support Iranian women given their hypocrisy, double standard and selective application of human rights," Ershadi said, urging the West to "uphold their international obligations under the UN Charter and respect the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other sovereign states."

Iran's envoy also expressed regret over Mahsa Amini's tragic death, stating that official reports on her death were shared with UN-affiliated organizations and member states.

Amini's death was followed by protests that were derailed into riots "incited" and supported by the West, where some foreign-backed elements led to the death of dozens of innocent people and security forces.

Responding to Western allegations against the status of women in Iran, Ershadi stated that "Iranian women are smart, well educated, dedicated and patriotic and are aware of their rights. They also understand how to engage with the government in a peaceful and constructive manner in order to advance their rights," adding that "therefore we advise those Western states that they are not required to act as guardians or caretakers of Iranian women or speak on their behalf."

The envoy highlighted that "women and girls count for more than half of all university students and currently 73% of medical professionals and 49% of doctors in Iran are female," adding that since the Islamic revolution in Iran, the country has "promoted the cultural, social, economic and political status of women as a key element in its policy-making, legislation, and national planning."

Reaffirming Iran's policies and principles on human rights and Tehran's ongoing efforts to improve these rights, Ershadi expressed that "respecting, protecting and promoting the human rights of all including women and girls," noting that "no country can claim to be perfect when it comes to human rights or the rights of women and girls."