Eight member states voted against, and 16 abstained. The exclusion, which comes into effect immediately, is justified by Iran’s very heavy-handed response to the women-led protests taking place in the country.
The resolution states that the Iranian leadership “constantly undermines and increasingly suppresses the human rights of women and girls, including the right to freedom of expression and opinion, often with excessive violence.”
Opponents of the resolution, including China and Russia, justified their no vote by saying that Iran was elected to the commission and that an exclusion “sets a dangerous precedent.”
US Vice President Kamala Harris announced in November that the country would work to exclude Iran.
UNCSW’s members are elected by Ecosoc, which in turn is appointed by the General Assembly.