Iran bidding for seat on U.N. Committee for Status of Women

In an attempt to cover up what Shirin Ebadi called a "heavy political defeat" when it was forced to withdraw from the Human Rights Council candidacy, Iran is bidding for a seat on the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women. Ebadi described the CSW as "unimportant", giving the Iranian government no powers - the CSW can only monitor women's rights issues. Another to see a possible upside was Parvin Ardalan, a leading activist for women's rights in Iran. Ardalan said it provided activists with a chance to criticise Iran's policies on the international stage.

Other Human and Women's Rights campaigners were taking a different view. Journalist Asieh Amini said a seat on the CSW would only provide "the Iranian government with a forum to defend its fundamentalist policies".

At this time, Iran look as if they will be elected uncontested to the CSW today after behind-the-scenes deals resulted in Thailand withdrawing it's candidacy in Iran's favour.