UN elects Iran to the committee that shapes its priorities on human rights, women's rights and counterterrorism

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday elected the Islamic Republic of Iran to its Committee for Programme and Coordination, giving Tehran a seat on the body that reviews and coordinates the UN's programs and priorities, the Jerusalem Post reports. Iran won 144 votes in a secret ballot.

The committee shapes the world body's work on issues including women's rights, human rights, disarmament and counterterrorism. Iran was nominated in April by the UN's 54-member Economic and Social Council.

Israel objected during the session to what it called a double standard in how Israeli candidates are treated, accusing Arab groups of repeatedly forcing politically motivated votes on them. Canada's foreign minister, Anita Anand, said Canada voted against Iran's inclusion and is "steadfastly opposed" to giving Tehran the seat.

UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer had urged member states to force a vote to block Iran. "This is a travesty of justice," he said before the vote, pointing to the regime's killing of protesters. Afterward he wrote that the General Assembly "just elected the murderous Islamic Republic of Iran" to the main body shaping the UN's priorities on women's rights, human rights, disarmament and counterterrorism.