‘Misguided policies’: Araghchi says unjust sanctions inflict suffering on innocent Iranians

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran has faced various challenges, including “unjust economic sanctions and terrorism”, over the past decades.

“For decades, the Iranian people have faced grave challenges, including unjust economic sanctions and terrorism, which have had many a devastating impact on their social and economic rights,” Araghchi said at the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in the Swiss city of Geneva on Monday.

However, he said Iran has managed to overcome these challenges and made “notable achievements” including the improvement of health services, education, and women’s rights, and the development of the country’s industries and economy.

“One of the greatest obstacles to the realization of human rights at the global level is the recourse to unilateral coercive measures. Such measures have destructive ramifications on ordinary people while oppressively affecting the more vulnerable groups.”

"Iran has long fallen victim to such misguided policies."

Noting that sanctions restrict the targeted countries’ access to basic necessities such as medicine, Iran’s top diplomat called for the “immediate removal of all unilateral sanctions.”

These sanctions “not only violate the fundamental human rights of the Iranian people but also inflict suffering on millions of innocent individuals.”

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Iran

Elsewhere in his remarks, Araghchi referred to Israel’s crimes against Palestinians.

“Iran unequivocally condemns the genocide perpetrated by the occupying regime in Gaza," he said.

“The Palestinian people continue to suffer from genocide, systemic violence, occupation, dehumanization, and violations of the right to life.”

Araghchi emphasized that Israel's actions violate international law, calling on the international community to “hold Israel accountable” for the crimes committed against Palestinians, and “demand an immediate cessation of all acts of aggression against the Palestinian people.”

He said the Human Rights Council and the United Nations should “stick up for the principles of justice and listen to the voices of the oppressed,” reiterating that Iran will “remain steadfast” in its support for the Palestinian people.

The Iranian minister decried the plans of the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza. “We strongly condemn any statements or actions on the side of these plots and register our opposition thereto.”

Noting that Iran has consistently emphasized respect for human rights, Araghchi said the country has taken “extensive measures” to improve the level of human rights, including the rights of women, children, and minorities in the country.

“At the same time, we believe that human rights may not be used as a leverage of political and economic pressure or interference in the internal affairs of countries,” he said.

“Experience has shown that certain states use the present institution as a tool to advance their own agendas.”

The minister urged all states to strive to support and promote human rights “based on the principles of fairness and impartiality.”

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