REP LIEU CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF IRAN FROM UN COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) led a bipartisan letter with 17 colleagues expressing support for the Biden Administration's efforts to remove Iran from the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) amid the Iranian government's violent campaign of abuse against women and girls. The CSW is a global intergovernmental body dedicated to promoting gender equity and the empowerment of women, including through encouraging women's political participation. In the letter, the Members assert that the Iranian regime's brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini makes its government unfit to remain on the commission.

In the letter, the Members write:

Dear Secretary Blinken and Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield:

Thank you for your work to sanction the Iranian regime and hold accountable those who are committing horrific human rights violations against brave protesters in Iran. We are writing to share our strong concerns with the Iranian regime's ongoing human rights violations and urge you to use every possible mechanism to hold the regime accountable – including by removing the Iranian government from the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

The death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody horrified the world. Iran's so-called "morality police," whose primary role is to enforce laws related to dress, arrested Ms. Amini for wearing her hijab loosely. She is said to have been severely beaten while in custody and later died.

In response to her death, women and young people in Iran began to bravely protest to secure their basic rights. The Iranian regime's violent response to these demonstrations is appalling and sickening. Over 300 people have been killed in these protests and thousands have been arrested. On December 8, Iran executed the first prisoner convicted for a protest-related action. The Iranian regime has a deeply concerning history of executing protesters following unfair trials that involve unsubstantiated accusations and coerced confessions.

Iran is a current member of the CSW, "the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women." Central to CSW's mission is ending gender-based violence and encouraging women's political participation. Given the Iranian regime's campaign of violence against women and girls, it is clearly inappropriate for Iran to serve on the CSW. We support efforts by the Biden Administration to remove Iran from the CSW and to continue to hold the Iranian regime accountable.

The Iranian people have spoken loudly and clearly. It is our duty, as a country that stands for democracy and respect for human rights, to listen and act. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER HERE

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