New York: Diplomats say Iran has dropped its bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council.
Jabed Faizal, a member of Maldives' UN Mission, said on Friday that Iran announced its decision at a meeting of the Asia group, which was preparing its slate of candidates for next month's vote on new rights council members.
Iran was heavily criticised in February at the 47-member council's first review over its handling of human rights. Peggy Hicks, global advocacy director for Human Rights Watch, praised Iran's decision to withdraw as a "good thing”.
The Iranian mission did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 09:12