But this year’s Social Forum was noteworthy. The theme was using ‘science, technology and innovation [for] the promotion of human rights’. As usual, discussions were steered by a chair appointed by the Human Rights Council from candidates put forward by regional groups of UN member states. Back in May this year, the chair was announced as Ali Bahreini, the UN ambassador from Iran. Bahreini’s chairmanship of the Social Forum was then approved by the president of the UN Human Rights Council, Václav Bálek, from what was, apparently, a shortlist of one.

The idea of a global summit to discuss the promotion of human rights being led by a representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran – a country responsible for some of the worst human-rights abuses on the planet – truly beggars belief. Bahreini presumably has the official blessing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei – a head of state who oversees a regime of deadly brutality against its own citizens.

Bahreini’s appointment must have seemed like an especially sick joke to the friends and relatives of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Iranian woman who died in police custody last year. Amini’s crime had been to show her hair in public.

[We all know the answer to this question — it’s because the UN is a thoroughly corrupt and shameful organization. This makes a mockery of the concept of multi-lateral diplomatic relations. — Ed]