AFP: 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.
UNITED NATIONS, November 10, 2010 (AFP) – 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.
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.
