The Islamic Republic of Iran was elected by acclamation to the UN General Assembly’s Committee on Disarmament and International Security, also known as the First Committee, as shown on a video released today of the election held on June 1, 2023.
“The criminals who trample their own people, violate UN Security Council resolutions, arm Russia with 400 UAVs to bomb Ukrainian civilians, fail to cooperate with IAEA and foment terrorism at home and abroad are unfit to serve on a committee dealing with disarmament and international security, said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, a independent non-governmental human rights group based in Geneva.
“This is a regime that perpetuates the very problems the committee aims to address. Iran plays a destabilizing role across the Middle East, arming mass murderers and terrorists such as Assad in Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Kata’ib Hezbollah, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba in Iraq, and Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza,” said Neuer.
“The Tehran regime are made up of criminals who poison schoolgirls, blind protesters, fire on mourners, rape political prisoners, sponsor terrorism and operate a global campaign to assassinate dissidents, authors, and U.S. government officials who dare to oppose them. How can the UN elect terrorists to a committee on international security?”
“Iran is now escalating an illicit nuclear weapons program, rapidly expanding uranium enrichment, operating advanced centrifuges and accumulating stocks of highly enriched uranium, all in defiance of the IAEA. Making Iran’s regime Rapporteur of this UN committee seriously undermines the credibility of its work.”
“While we can’t prevent every UN outrage,” said Neuer, “we are working now to stop Iran’s regime from becoming Chair of the UN Human Rights Council Social Forum. We urge all nations to support our draft resolution to overturn this appointment.”
A petition by UN Watch has drawn more than 80,000 signatures, and is aiming to reach 100,000.
Iran regime elected to UN Committee on Disarmament & International Security. The criminals who trample their own people, violate UN Security Council resolutions, arm Russia with 400 UAVs to bomb Ukraine civilians, fail to cooperate with IAEA & foment terrorism at home and abroad. pic.twitter.com/5YzavvtfCh
- Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) June 4, 2023
3/ Meet Iran's Heidar Ali Balouji. In September, he'll be the new Rapporteur of the UN Committee on Disarmament and International Security, presenting to the UNGA resolutions on disarmament, global challenges, and threats to peace that affect the international community. pic.twitter.com/zHxxmB2AWS
- Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) June 4, 2023
