Iran's Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs, Ensiyeh Khazali, known for her staunch stance against perceived injustices, is currently in the United States to attend a UN summit. During her visit, she intends to advocate for the removal of Israel from the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), citing alleged "atrocities against Palestinian women in Gaza."
The decision by the US State Department to grant a visa to Khazali has sparked widespread outrage among various groups.
Khazali's presence in New York for the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women, a prominent event focusing on gender equality and women's empowerment, has stirred controversy, given Iran's criticized human rights record, particularly regarding women's rights.
At the summit, scheduled from March 11 to March 22, Khazali plans to address issues concerning women's rights both in Iran and on an international scale, emphasizing the plight of Palestinian women in Gaza due to what she describes as "bloodshed and starvation caused by blockade and war crimes."
Expressing her intentions, Khazali has stated, "...God willing, we will demand the expulsion of Israel from the Commission on the Status of Women," underscoring the gravity of her mission.
Critics have lambasted the US government for allowing Khazali entry, citing Iran's documented history of human rights abuses, particularly against women. They argue that granting a visa to a representative of a regime accused of such violations undermines the principles of women's rights advocacy.
Maneli Mirkhan, an advocate for freedom in Iran, expressed dismay over Khazali's visit, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by Iranian women under the Islamist regime. She criticized the US for extending a visa to Khazali, asserting that it disregards the plight of Iranian women who continue to suffer repression and persecution.
The granting of a visa to Khazali also prompted scrutiny from international observers. Jason Brodsky, the policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran, questioned the decision, citing Khazali's alleged support for child marriage and her role in downplaying Iran's suppression of dissent. He called on the US State Department to take a stronger stance against Tehran's actions by denying visas to its officials accused of human rights abuses.
