Unilateral sanctions target welfare rights of Iranians: Official

Tehran, IRNA – Deputy Chief of the Iranian Judiciary and secretary of the High Council for Human Rights Kazem Gharibabadi said on Tuesday that the unilateral sanctions on Iran have directly targeted the country’s main sources of income and the welfare rights of the Iranians. Addressing the 51st regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, Gharibabadi thanked United Nations Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights Alena Douhan for a report after a visit to Iran. The Iranian official said that the unilateral sanctions and excessive compliance with them have led to a violation of all the rights of the Iranian people. Noting that Iran is one of the countries that has invested well in the health of its people and today it produces many medicines and medical equipment, he said that nevertheless, in some cases, the country needs to import the raw materials of medicines and some rare medicines for special patients from other countries, and the refusal the companies to sell them has seriously endangered the right to life and health of these needy Iranians. Gharibabadi said that America's claim about the humanitarian exception of the food and medicine fields from the inclusion of sanctions is a big lie that does not match the existing facts. Sanctions are a major obstacle to international cooperation, particularly in the field of refugees and the fight against drugs, the official said, also elaborating on the impact of the unilateral sanctions on inflation, employment and infrastructural sectors. “Unilateral coercive measures are an example of a crime against humanity because many people lose their lives as a result. This issue will definitely bring the international responsibility of the drafters and implementers of sanctions.” Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish