Prevention Of Women From Presidential Office Is Violation Rights – UN

Some UN experts on Wednesday warned that barring women and other citizens from contesting for presidential office in Iran constituted a violation of their rights as guaranteed by international law.
unitednations1Last week, Iran’s Guardian Council, a 12-member body of theologians and jurists which vets presidential candidates, approved only eight individuals out of the 686 people registered for the June 14 election.

The 30 female candidates that applied were disqualified as well as other key political figures, raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the vetting procedures.

This mass disqualification, including that of women wishing to stand in the presidential elections, is discriminatory and violates fundamental right to political participation and runs contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Iran has ratified.

Any restrictions on this right must be based on objective and reasonable criteria without distinction of any kind, including race, gender, religion, and political or other opinion,” the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed.

Shaheed said that several candidates were reportedly excluded on the basis of their affiliation with the 2009 post-election protests and their exercise of fundamental human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association.

Kamala Chandrakirana, Head of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women, said excluding women from eligibility to presidential office “will exacerbate their already existing severe under representation in public, political and professional life”.

The Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Rashida Manjoo, said Iran must ensure women’s participation in public affairs, including the political sphere, through special measures to help eradicate discrimination and violence against women.

The experts also urged the government to lift restrictions to freedom of expression and association.