The Iranian regime has secured two notable diplomatic acknowledgements at the United Nations, despite violently suppressing dissent and reports of lethal force against unarmed protesters.
The UN Commission for Social Development yesterday elected Abbas Tajik of Iran as one of its Vice-Chairs for the forthcoming session, the 65th, alongside Stefano Guerra of Portugal as Chair and Shahriyar Hajiyev of Azerbaijan as the other Vice-Chair.
The election took place by acclamation following the conclusion of the commission’s 64th session, with no recorded objections from member states.
The commission, a functional body of the Economic and Social Council, focuses on issues such as poverty eradication, social inclusion and related aspects of sustainable development.
The move has drawn criticism from human rights advocates who saw it as ironic, given the commission’s emphasis on themes including social justice and equality.
Groups such as UN Watch pointed out that western delegations did not block the nomination, in contrast to past efforts to prevent certain other states from securing similar roles.
NO JOKE: The Islamic regime in Iran has just been elected as Vice-Chair of the U.N. Commission for Social Development, whose priority theme will be promoting democracy, gender equality, and ensuring tolerance and non-violence.
Chair: “I hear no objection.” pic.twitter.com/mKdYfHVv6R
— UN Watch (@UNWatch) February 11, 2026
Separately, also yesterday, which marked the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent a letter to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian extending “warmest congratulations” on Iran’s National Day.
According to Iranian state media IRNA the message described national anniversaries as opportunities to reflect on a country’s path, its contributions to the international community and the ideals shaping its future.
Guterres said national anniversaries also serve as reminders of the importance of dialogue and solidarity in addressing global challenges.
According to IRNA, the UN chief listed ending wars, preventing new conflicts, tackling the climate crisis, reducing inequalities and ensuring the responsible governance of powerful technologies as urgent tests facing the global community.
The UN later clarified that such letters are routine diplomatic protocol, sent consistently to all member states on their national days and should not be seen as an endorsement of any government’s policies.
This procedural courtesy stands in stark juxtaposition to Guterres’ more pointed, sustained scrutiny of Israel on human rights grounds and his loud condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Both developments come amid persistent international concern over Iran’s authoritarian theocracy’s domestic human rights situation, including documented crackdowns on protests that have resulted in significant casualties and loss of life among demonstrators.
Recent UN Human Rights Council actions, such as extensions of investigative mandates on Iran, have addressed allegations of serious violations during periods of unrest.
The body bags of protestors in Iran couldn’t fit in the morgue halls.
Hundreds were just left on the sidewalks. pic.twitter.com/ma36StgqZU
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 29, 2026
Iran’s Islamist regime has faced repeated waves of popular unrest and responded with lethal force. The most recent protests, which erupted in late 2025 over economic collapse, spiralled into nationwide demands for regime change and triggered one of the deadliest crackdowns in the Islamic Republic’s history.
Iranian authorities reported 3,117 deaths. Independent monitors such as the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) have verified more than 6,000 fatalities, mostly unarmed protesters, with thousands more cases still under review.
Some reports citing leaked internal documents put the toll as high as 30,000 to 36,500 in the space of a few days in early January 2026.
Women’s rights in Iran are among the most restricted in the world. Compulsory hijab is enforced through violence, mass arrests and a new “chastity and hijab” law carrying draconian penalties.
Discriminatory rules on marriage, divorce, inheritance, travel and employment remain in force; Iran ranks 143rd out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report.
