12 Human Rights Organizations Express Regret Over Appointment of Iranian Ambassador as President of the 2023 Social Forum

The "Impact Iran" coalition, consisting of 12 international human rights organizations, has issued a statement expressing deep concern and regret over the appointment of "Ali Bahraini," the permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, as the President of the 2023 Social Forum. This coalition noted that given the Islamic Republic's record on human rights, this appointment undermines the integrity of the forum and the UN human rights system. These Iranian and international human rights organizations emphasized that Iranian officials have long used technology for surveillance and censorship, including restricting access to information and monitoring the exchange of information. According to this coalition, Mr. Bahraini's appointment is a shocking insult to all victims whose fundamental rights, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to assemble, have been violated by the Islamic Republic. For decades, the Islamic Republic has severely repressed civil space, including through heavy censorship, arbitrary detention of human rights defenders, and judicial harassment. Nevertheless, the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran became the President of the UN Human Rights Council's Social Forum on Wednesday, May 10. As President of the Social Forum, the Iranian ambassador will participate in preparing for the event, including setting the agenda, deciding on discussion topics, and inviting individuals to participate in roundtables. He will also benefit from the associated protocol honors of this role, including sitting at the podium of the Human Rights Council meeting room alongside the President of the Human Rights Council and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, presiding over the session, and delivering opening and closing statements. In conclusion, these human rights organizations called on the UN and its member states not to allow the Islamic Republic to mock the UN Social Forum and tarnish the credibility of this institution. Following the bloody crackdown on protesters, the representative of the Islamic Republic became the President of the Social Forum of the Human Rights Council; the US described Iran's presidency of the UN Social Forum as "deeply concerning." Reactions to the appointment of Ali Bahraini as President of the Social Forum of the Human Rights Council: "shameful."