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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

U.S., others object to new role for Iran

Edith M. Lederer Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS – Iran, where a woman convicted of adultery has been sentenced to death by stoning, is likely to become a member of the board of the new U.N. agency to promote equality for women, prompting outrage from the U.S. and human rights groups.

Some rights groups are also upset that Saudi Arabia, where women are not allowed to drive, is also vying to join the governing body of UN Women.

The General Assembly resolution adopted in July that merged four U.N. bodies dealing with women’s issues into a single agency with greater clout to represent half the world’s population calls for a 41-member executive board, with 35 members chosen by regional groups and six representing donor nations.

The Asian group has put forward an uncontested 10-nation slate that includes Iran. Saudi Arabia has been selected for one of two slots for emerging donor nations.

The 54 nations on the U.N. Economic and Social Council are expected to elect UN Women’s board on Nov. 10.

Mark Kornblau, spokesman for the U.S. Mission, said Wednesday that Iran’s membership “would send the wrong signal at the start of this exciting new initiative.”