The United States stands alone while Iran and China join key UN bodies despite objections

This controversy stems from decisions taken by the United Nations Economic and Social Council, a 54-member body that plays a central role in shaping UN policy and staffing the main committees.

Critics warn that the outcome could allow governments accused of human rights abuses to influence global politics and control which civil society groups are allowed access to the United Nations.

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Members of the United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution to open the Strait of Hormuz during a meeting on Iran and the Middle East at United Nations headquarters in New York on April 7, 2026. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

Nominated by the Economic and Social Council Islamic Republic of Iran He headed to the UN Committee for Program and Coordination on Wednesday, a body that helps formulate policies on human rights, women’s rights, disarmament and counter-terrorism.

The nomination is widely expected to be finalized, as the UN General Assembly usually approves such recommendations without a vote.

At the same session, the Economic and Social Council elected China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia and Sudan to membership in the Non-Governmental Organizations Committee, which oversees the accreditation and access of thousands of non-governmental organizations working within the UN system.

The United States was the only member state to formally break from the consensus.

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US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a UN Security Council meeting, after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at UN headquarters in New York City, February 28, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)

In remarks made by the US representative to the Economic and Social Council, Ambassador Dan Nigeria, on April 8, he said that the United States was “distancing itself from consensus” on both resolutions, describing many of the countries involved as unfit for such roles.

“The regime threatens its neighbors, and for decades has violated the ability of the Iranian people to exercise their basic human rights,” Nigeria said, adding, “We believe Iran is unfit to serve” on the committee.

The decision drew sharp criticism from UN Watch, a Geneva-based monitoring group.

“With their cynical actions at the United Nations, the major Western countries betrayed their people,” Hillel Neuer told Fox News Digital. Human rights principles“It severely undermines the rules-based international order they claim to uphold.”

“We note that EU countries clearly had another option. They have taken action in recent years to prevent Russia from electing them to similar bodies, and so we deeply regret that they have failed to do the same now to stop the election of serial violators such as Iran, China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.”

“We applaud the United States for its moral clarity and leadership in objecting to the election of the Islamic Republic of Iran and other brutal regimes.”

Neuer warned that the formation of the NGO Committee could allow authoritarian governments to influence accredited organizations, potentially marginalizing independent human rights groups.

He added, “This means that dictatorial regimes will have a majority on the committee in order to deny UN accreditation to independent organizations that condemn their human rights violations, and to accredit more fake front groups created by the regimes.”

Israel’s mission to the United Nations also noted the political tensions surrounding the vote, saying that Iran had tried to challenge Israel’s nomination during the same Economic and Social Council session.

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Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Irani, attends a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at United Nations headquarters in New York City, United States, February 28, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)

Israel has been elected to several UN bodies, according to the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN, including the Commission on the Status of Women and the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, despite opposition.

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said, “Iran also tried to turn the elections at the United Nations into an arena for incitement against Israel and failed.” “Those who oppress women and trample human rights in their countries will not teach us what women’s rights are.”

Ahead of the vote, about 70 civil society organizations warned that countries with poor human rights records could gain seats on key oversight bodies, but the elections took place without a formal vote, a process known as “by acclamation” approval.

Critics say the measure allows controversial candidates to secure influential roles with limited transparency or accountability.

These developments are likely to intensify scrutiny of how UN bodies are staffed and whether political considerations outweigh human rights concerns.

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US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at United Nations headquarters in New York City, United States, February 28, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)

Fox News Digital reached out to the UK, France, Canada, Australia and US delegation for comment but did not receive responses in time for publication.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations declined to comment.