World's Leading Abuser of Women Appointed as UN CSW Member

by Stephen Lendman

Saudi Arabia is the Arab world's leading rogue state, a regional menace, supporting terrorism, abusing its own people ruthlessly, opposing fundamental rights for women.

The US-led world community turns a blind eye, supporting what demands condemnation. On April 19, 47 UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) member-states voted to appoint Riyadh to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

None voted "no." It wasn't an option. Seven countries abstained, letting the world's leading abuser of women become a CSW member, making ECOSOC a laughing stock, supporting pure evil instead of denouncing and rejecting it.

UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer said "(e)lecting Saudi Arabia to protect women's rights is like making an arsonist into the town fire chief. This is a black day for women's rights, and for all human rights."

Women have no rights in the kingdom, men alone. "Why did the UN choose the world's leading oppressor of women to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women," asked Neuer?

"Today the UN sent a message that women's rights can be sold out for petro-dollars and politics."

Saudi Arabia was elected by secret ballot, countries voting "yes" ashamed to admit it.

Likely "yes" votes came from America, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, and Spain, among others.

As a CSW member, Riyadh gets to vote on vital issues affecting women's rights, including:

elimination of discrimination against women;

equal participation of women in political and public affairs;

discrimination, violence, and other human rights abuses against women;

women's nationality rights, among other issues.

ECOSOC's process was rubber-stamped before voting proceeded, the outcome decided in advance.

Separately, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi blasted Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud for disgracefully accusing Tehran of "extremist ideology" and wanting to "control the Islamic world," saying:

"These comments are proof that Saudi Arabia supports terrorism and seeks confrontational and destructive policies in the region and towards Iran."

"While Western Asia is filled with tension and needs cooperation and understanding among countries, making such comments is a strategic mistake and lacks political sensibility."

Riyadh's radical Wahhabism fosters regional terrorism, he added. On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said normalized bilateral ties are only possible if Saudi Arabia stops bombing Yemen and ceases support for terrorism.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.