INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
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 Iran's 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 United States and by some other states
What is special about Iran's circumstance is that it was under UN Security Council sanctions for 10 years till August 2020, which no longer
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
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
This was the reason that Iran had to search for options, risking of getting standard compounds for the production of medicines that were of
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
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
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
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
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
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 Iran's 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
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
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
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.
