Iran’s election as a vice-chair of the United Nations Commission for Social Development has prompted criticism from human rights advocates and some policy analysts, who argue the appointment conflicts with the Islamic Republic’s record and recent UN scrutiny of Tehran’s conduct during nationwide protests.
The commission’s leadership slate was approved without objection during a meeting in New York, with decisions adopted by consensus, according to UN coverage of the session.
Iran UN vice-chair appointment approved by consensus
The UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs reported that Portugal’s Stefano Guerra was elected chair of the commission’s 65th session, with Abbas Tajik of Iran and Shahriyar Hajiyev of Azerbaijan elected as vice-chairs.
The Commission for Social Development is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council, focusing on social policy issues including poverty reduction, social inclusion and related development priorities.
US envoy Mike Waltz criticizes UN body after vote
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz criticized the outcome in a post on X, saying Iran’s selection was another reason the United States does not participate in the Commission for Social Development.
Rights advocates cite Iran protest crackdown and UN action in Geneva
The controversy comes as UN human rights bodies have publicly condemned Iran’s response to protests that began on December 28, 2025. In January, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution deploring a “violent crackdown” that it said resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and extended the mandate of an independent fact-finding mission to investigate alleged violations linked to the protests.
Separately, the UN fact-finding mission said its immediate priority was gathering evidence following what it described as the deadliest crackdown by the Iranian government since the 1979 revolution.
G7 foreign ministers also issued a statement in January condemning what they called the deliberate use of violence against protesters and warning of additional restrictive measures if the crackdown continued.
UN Watch and Iranian opposition-linked figures condemn the choice
UN Watch, a Geneva-based advocacy group, called the vice-chair role inappropriate given Iran’s domestic policies and security response to protests.
Alireza Jafarzadeh, identified as deputy director of the US office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, also criticized the decision in public comments posted online, arguing Iran should face increased accountability at the UN rather than advancement to leadership roles.
Debate extends to UN messaging on Iran revolution anniversary
The appointment also follows criticism of UN Secretary-General António Guterres over a message marking the anniversary of Iran’s 1979 revolution, with some advocacy groups saying the gesture appeared out of step with the UN’s human rights concerns about Iran’s recent violence.
Iranian state media separately reported on the vice-chair selection and portrayed it as a routine outcome of the commission’s organizational meeting.
The commission’s bureau will serve through its session as member states continue negotiations on social development priorities, while criticism of Iran’s role is likely to persist amid ongoing international attention on Tehran’s handling of protests and its human rights obligations.