Iran fails to get seat on UN Women board

UNITED NATIONS — Iran failed in an election on Wednesday to secure a seat on the executive board of the new UN super agency to improve women’s rights after fierce lobbying by western nations and rights groups.

By (AFP)

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Published: Fri 12 Nov 2010, 12:04 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 8:09 AM

Saudi Arabia, whose candidacy was also criticised, secured an automatic seat.

Iran was beaten to an Asian regional seat by East Timor, a late entrant to the contest, in a vote at the UN General Assembly.

Iran had originally been guaranteed a seat because the Asia region had only put forward 10 candidates for 10 seats. Diplomats said East Timor later put itself forward as a spoiler as controversy mounted over Iran’s rights record, particularly toward women.


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