Saudi Arabia Just Got Elected to the UN Commission on....Women's Rights

Saudi Arabia continues to have a male guardianship system that dominates all aspects of life for women and girls, they’re also banned from driving cars and do not share the same legal status as men. But yet, the Kingdom was elected to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

The commission, according to its website, is “dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.”

Making matters worse, the election took place in a secret vote during the U.N.’s Economic and Social Council.

UN Watch’s executive director rightfully slammed the move.

“Electing Saudi Arabia to protect women’s rights is like making an arsonist into the town fire chief,” Hillel Neuer said. “It’s absurd.”

According to UN Watch, there is a small silver lining to the election.

The only good news: thanks to the U.S. calling a vote — breaking with the Obama Administration policy which in 2014 allowed Iran to be elected by acclamation — Saudi Arabia was not elected by acclamation, but instead received the least votes of any other country: 47 out of 54 votes cast, even though there was no competition given that there was an equal amount of competitors for available seats.

China and Uganda were upset, preferring the usual practice of rubber stamping clean slates.

Good grief.