TEHRAN - The UN Human Rights Councils Special Rapporteur has stated she has been considerably affected by the impact of sanctions on Iranian citizens suffering from hereditary diseases or cancer .
What made a lasting impression on me was the impact of the sanctions on the health care system, Professor Alena Douhan said in an interview with the site of Irans High Council for Human Rights published on Saturday.Douhan, an international law professor, also stated sanctions is the cause of death amongst specific individuals affected with severe illness.
It has normally been kept that unilateral sanctions are enforced by good guys on bad guys for some supreme purpose and with great intents, but regrettably in truth that is individuals of the nation who are affected immensely, she notes.The Special Rapporteur likewise states though Iran is under severe financial sanctions it is has been offering services to countless refugees from Afghanistan.
Iran provides refugees open door to main health care and education, despite whether they are recorded or non-documented, Douhan notes who went to Iran from May 7 to 18, 2022.
Following is the text of interview: How do you examine the sanctions regimes?As a teacher of worldwide law, I assess it from 2 sides.
There must be a legal analysis, due to the fact that countries, including the EU, never actually even think about the legal basis.
You can not respond to the habits of other nations by prohibited ways.
And from the other side-- it is extremely important to examine humanitarian effect of unilaterally used measures.You went to Iran in May.
What type of impression did you get during your visit?It was my fourth country check out.
Prior to going to Iran, I visited Venezuela, Qatar, and Zimbabwe.
I should say, each nation has its own method of being affected by sanctions and dealing with them.
Iran is a country that struggles with really serious sanctions enforced by the U.S.
and by some other states.
What is special about Irans circumstance is that it was under UN Security Council sanctions for 10 years till August 2020, which no longer exist today.
But there is a variety of states that are still following these non-existing Security Council sanctions and additionally impose other unilateral sanctions referring to human rights infractions, ...
That makes it made complex for me to assess the impact of these various sanctions separately.
When individuals ask me how I assess the impact of the European Union sanctions, I cant address the concerns specifically, however I look at the detailed effect of all sanctions imposed by different countries.
The humanitarian effect is even greater-- due to over-compliance of states, banks, companies and personal individuals.How have you been able to get an image of the situation in Iran?The purpose of my see was limited by the scope of my required-- to examine humanitarian impact of unilateral coercive steps on the satisfaction of human rights.
For this purpose, I spoke to all afflicted groups, both governmental and non-governmental, and got the strong impression that the sanctions have a massive influence on peoples lives.
I met officials in hospitals, visited healthcare facilities and universities, and service enterprises.
I talked with all 17 UN missions in Iran, as well as with embassy officials from both nations that support the sanctions and those that oppose them.
I likewise went to Isfahan and talked with associations representing the Afghan community.
There, I spoke straight with individuals impacted by the sanctions.What was your primary impression?What made a long lasting impression on me was the impact of the sanctions on the healthcare system.
I spoke with emergency clients, those struggling with hereditary diseases, and some who were experiencing cancer.
I likewise consulted with members of patient companies that cared for individuals with serious diseases, such as numerous kinds of skin illness, gynecological diseases, in addition to blood illness, extreme forms of diabetes, etc.
All of these people experience these illness and even the appropriate medications are not available.Is the absence of medication a result of the sanctions?The impact of the sanctions is not constantly clear however often it is rather apparent.
In the cases where health is at stake, it is very clear.
Let me provide you an example.
For a while, Iran produces around 95 percent of medicine locally.
After sanctions have been enforced Iran mainly lost access to the raw materials or faces obstacles in shipment of appropriate quality raw materials.Where do the medicines come from?The accessibility of medications is another concern.
After sanctions were imposed in 2010 and reimposed in 2018, Iran made great efforts to continue production of much-needed medicines.
As reports indicated, Iran was producing 90-95% of its own medicines.
The problem was that although it would have been possible to produce the drugs in the nation, this would need raw materials.Was it still possible to manufacture drugs?The procurement of specific elements to make the medicines is an unique problem.
This is because the nations that had actually previously provided Iran with the relevant compounds refused to do so due to the restored sanctions.
This was the reason that Iran had to search for options, risking of getting standard compounds for the production of medicines that were of the low quality.
They were not accredited, and even if Iran could produce drugs with the basic substances it received, their quality is affected.Could all the required medications be produced through this route?Despite all efforts, only 90-95% of the drugs could be produced domestically.
The missing 5-10% had to be imported from abroad.
It refers on the very first hand medicines for individuals suffering from unusual or severe deceases.
Today sadly drug companies are declining to send out medicines to Iran, despite formal announcement in the approving policies of the humanitarian exception.Humanitarian exemptions nevertheless, do not work for a number of factors.
To activate humanitarian exemptions, it is required to get a license from OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) to start with.
This is extremely troublesome; the process is lengthy and costly.
When you get a license, it is generally legitimate for one month only.What does that mean?I spoke with UN organizations like UNICEF and UNFPA [ United Nations Population Fund], and they validated that it is a huge issue, even for private UN organizations, to get a license from OFAC to ensure the procurement of drugs.Even if the license exists, the pharmaceutical companies usually say no.
They are afraid that if they trade with Iran, they will then likewise fall under the secondary sanctions as the phrasing of sanctions arrangements is extremely unclear and confusing.Can a business decide to provide the drugs? Is that possible in principle?If companies are willing to deal with Iran, there are two problems still.
The first one is the transfer of cash.
Even UNICEF, which operates in Iran and works with a Swedish pharmaceutical company, can not guarantee payment from Iran to Sweden as Iran is cut off from SWIFT and banks decide not to risk.
Hence, the payment needed to be made in alternative ways via 3rd countries.If whatever has actually still developed to this point, then there is the issue of shipment.
All transport companies in Iran are under sanctions.
Anybody who delivers items to Iran can be penalized by secondary sanctions.
Any transportation insurer is under sanctions against Iran.I have actually spoken to a few of humanitarian associations.
We have actually seen the documents that plainly reveal that they do not want to offer the drugs to Iran.
I have spoken to the Swedish and Swiss federal governments and to the pharmaceutical business, because we have clear indicators that there is a connection with the sanctions.
Due to the fact that of the lack of medication, we have an increasing deterioration in the health of the population in Iran, especially amongst individuals struggling with unusual and extreme deceases.
You can see the increasing death rate not just in intensive care clients like diabetics, cancer clients and lots of others, however likewise in less hazardous illness.
Deaths have tripled.Are there any specific examples here of how you see the problem?Ill give you an example.
For the illness thalassemia, there was approximately 25-30 deaths annually.
The typical life expectancy for these individuals is 45 to 50 years, if the medication they require is offered.
When sanctions were renewed in 2018, deaths increased to 130-170 in the last three years, and the typical life span is now less than 20 years.
There are a number of companies that look at the issues and create the very same numbers.Are all people affected by what is taking place in the healthcare system?The so-called middle class in Iran is accustomed to utilizing personal healthcare and they had the ability to pay more.
But that has now changed; it can no longer pay for private services that puts an additional problem over the general public system.What does it mean for Iran to be cut off from worldwide payments?For example, it is not able to make any payments to worldwide companies.
If it is not able to make the proper contributions, it loses its right to take part in global bodies.
This omits Iran from all the capability to take part in talks, to vote and hence to take part in decision-making.
I have talked to some UN firms that are helping Iran in developing services to the payment issues, but so far there is no opportunity readily available.
Iran also can not pay its dues to the UN like it does to WHO or UNICEF.What does that mean for interaction at the diplomatic level?It is really minimal.
In addition, Iranian embassies in each of the nations that have actually adopted the sanctions are unable to pay earnings to their embassy personnel due to the fact that Iran can not open accounts.
Iran is left out from SWIFT, and therefore you cant pay with a credit card in the nation itself.What does this mean for trade?All countries that want to preserve global cooperation with Iran, not only on the diplomatic level, are highly limited.
There are also constraints on flexibility of action at the private level.
Because of the exclusion from SWIFT, nobody is able to schedule a trip to Iran, a hotel, or a flight.
Iranians are not able to book flights and hotels abroad as well.
Cooperation in the field of science, art and sports is also not possible.
There is no possibility to pay subscription charges in global professional associations/bodies and therefore cooperation with foreign expert groups is restricted.
Iranians likewise face problems in using online platforms for worldwide interaction and teaching.
Iranian professional athletes are limited in their capability to take part in worldwide competitors because they can not reserve a journey or remain in a hotel room.
Scholars and trainees are prevented from subscribing at the global databases, their publications are often not accepted for editing procedure due to precaution of publishing houses.Are these sanctions compatible with human rights?There is clear evidence that a broad scope of human rights are breached by the sanctions; for example, unrestricted trade or the possibility of clinical exchange in all fields.
I have actually spoken with many students, and for them it is incomprehensible why they are omitted from worldwide cooperation.
It is an absurdity to prohibit scientific cooperation, because that is a standard aspect for the financial and social advancement of a nation.
These are vital aspects of financial and cultural rights.
Iran is a clear example where these rights are being violated.What about the right to food?The circumstance in Iran is not so bad, due to the fact that the country can produce a lot of things domestically.
The situation is far better in Iran than in Venezuela.Have you likewise had the ability to speak to citizens?Yes, I had the ability to experience how regular people are directly impacted by the sanctions.
One Iranian told me that he and his partner chose to pass up having another child because, due to the inflation in the nation, it would be excessive of a financial problem.
The country has barely any earnings coming from outside, because the flow of travelers has depleted.
In addition to the minimal supply of items and low earnings, individuals struggle with severe inflation.
The state and business can not raise salaries at the same rate and have to attempt to cut costs, so individuals are getting poorer and poorer.Besides the sanctions, doesnt Iran have a large number of refugees to make sure of?Yes, Iran has 5.5 million refugees from Afghanistan and because August 2021, 5 to 10 thousand refugees are coming daily.
All other nations neighboring Afghanistan have actually closed their borders.
All statistics can be found on the UNHCR websites.
An additional problem for Iran is the reality that most of the refugees (90 percent) do not have documents or a valid visa.
Prior to my journey to Iran, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, remained in Iran.
He was really pleased of Irans efforts.How is Iran dealing with this big burden?For example, Iran gives refugees free access to primary healthcare and education, despite whether they are documented or non-documented.
This is all spent for by the state and is an extreme burden.
If 5 to 10 thousand people enter into the nation every day, that indicates a brand-new school and a new hospital would need to be constructed daily.
The Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan has verified-- and this is likewise my impression-- that over half of the refugees are youths, since as a guideline a household has five children.
In addition to the scarcity of medicines, the increase in clients who can no longer finance private care, and the a great deal of refugees, the healthcare system is under enormous strain.How can Iran financing this?This is a big issue.
Due to the fact that of the deficiency in revenues, due to the sanctions, the state can hardly supply any support.
Also, the variety of social cases that count on federal government support money is growing.
Practically two months ago, simply when I went to Iran, there were big protests there against the change of the state support system.
Fundamental foods have very low costs.
That has actually altered now.
The state has raised rates.
The extremely poorest still get monetary support so they can pay for the goods.
Other individuals who used to get that were overlooked.
The repercussions have actually been demonstrations all over the country.When you speak to the states that enforced the sanctions and inform them what you saw with your own eyes, what kind of reactions do you get?One of the most common responses from the states that enforced sanctions is that they didnt believe the scenario in the nation was that bad.
They would not have spoken with other sources that the effect was so extreme.
When I visited Venezuela, I saw how devastating these sanctions are for individuals, because Venezuela has really low domestic food production.I attempt to be very specific and take a look at every truth to be able to reveal particular effect on health, nutrition, access to water, sanitation, electrical energy, education, and development.
My intent is to advise all states that every human being around the world delights in basic human rights and all actions can only be taken in accordance with worldwide law.What sources do you rely on?To collect information, I talk with numerous stakeholders during country sees: governments, healthcare facilities, university teachers, non-governmental companies, international and nationwide humanitarian companies, UN agencies, local associations, embassies, victims of human rights infractions.
One month before checking out the country, I openly require contributions.
All information is gathered and verified.Unfortunately, some interlocutors have no intent of sharing information pertinent to the work of the required, however rather launch defamation campaigns and disperse fake news.Who is doing such defamation?UN Watch and other NGOs outside Iran called Human Rights in Iran called me a puppet of China or Iran.
When I came back from Iran, the slurs were so strong that I notified the office of the High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet and the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures about the case.
The fact that I come from Belarus ended up being the factor to question my stability.
I am a professor of global law and have actually never ever belonged to any celebration.
I do research in nations as an independent specialist according to scholastic criteria and have no political agenda.Were the attacks connected to your report?No, I guess that none of those who assaulted me check out the report.
The goal was to shift the focus far from my findings and to make a scandal.
This is something that is done all the time.
Individuals politicize the discussion rather of handling the specific material.
I keep trying to mention that we must be handling the legality and mankind rather than politics.
Its about international law and humanitarian problems.
If there is any problem, you have to take legal ways.
It is about utilizing legal ways, not about punishing one nation for not abiding by another.After all the things you have actually told, the question I have is whether these sanctions and their devastating repercussions on the economy, on politics, and therefore on the civilian population work with human rights.That is an essential concern, and I hope I can answer it in short.
Regrettably, this location is so highly politicized.
It has generally been maintained that unilateral sanctions are imposed by heros on bad men for some supreme purpose and with great objectives-- however unfortunately in reality that is individuals of the country who are impacted enormously.Toward the end of the 1990s, the Security Council was extremely active in issuing sanctions, for example, versus Sierra Leone or Iraq, and legality of these sanctions have not been disputed.
In this context, the Security Council decided to analyze the humanitarian impact of sanctions.
The impact appeared to be so huge that the UN Security Council altered its policy and stopped to utilize detailed sanctions.
The UN Security Council likewise never ever threatened the public.
Many threats nevertheless have become a part of the unilateral sanctions method, as we have actually recently viewed as relates to sanctions on Cuba, Iran or Russia.
That is the reason why I think you must start to comply with the legal aspects.It is barely known that sanctions have a disastrous impact on the respective populations.
What is the factor for that?The media barely reports on it.
They reduce the information, but people do not wish to hear it either.
It is something extremely unpleasant.
It is a reality for those impacted.
Sanctions are the cause of people dying.
That is the reason that I am extremely worried about the idea of planned avoidance of disinformation.
The EU has actually chosen to launch a law versus disinformation, which is a violation of the International Covenant on Civil, Political and Cultural Rights, along with casting doubt on the right to freedom of expression.
I see this as a fantastic risk to liberty of expression and flexibility of the press.Wouldnt it be more appropriate to pass a law prohibiting sanctions that drive people into poverty?Yes, there is no mechanism for examining unilateral coercive steps.
In March of this year, I organized an expert consultation with nongovernmental organizations and another with academics, at which they argued that there should be a monitoring mechanism to evaluate humanitarian effect of unilateral coercive procedures.
We require to establish a consistent transparent approach verify the impact of sanctions.
There are no opportunities of redress versus unilateral coercive procedures.
Iran has introduced a case in the International Court of Justice, and Venezuela-- in the International Criminal Court.
But it is almost difficult to refer a case of unilateral coercive measures to a UN treaty body as it is really made complex for people under sanctions and specifically for those impacted by over-compliance-- to bring a case to the national court, such as in the United States, as that is too far away and exceptionally expensive.
I am dealing with how to establish a system that would allow legal action against unilateral coercive steps within the structure of the UN and assist the victims to get their rights.