Statement by
Mr. Ali Karimi Magham
Political Attaché
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Before the Third Committee, UNGA 76
On Item 74: Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
The Special Rapporteur on the Negative Impact of Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights
New York, 13 October 2021
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Mr. Chair,
We would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for providing an update about her report on the extraterritorial effects and negative impacts of unilateral coercive measures on reducing potential capacities to respond promptly to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Application of extraterritoriality in imposing cruel and inhumane unilateral coercive measures by self-proclaimed human rights champions or the so-called flag bearers of human rights have gravely violated the equitable, affordable, timely and unhindered access of Iranian people, especially the vulnerable groups, to their basic human rights.
The coercive nature of such restrictive measures implies malicious intentions that is intently designed and imposed by the major human right violators of the modern age to further their gains and should not be easily and interchangeably replaced with other terms such as ‘sanctions or unilateral sanctions’. Thus, unilateral coercive measures should be defined as a clear, stand-alone and self-sufficient concept with due attention to its extraterritorial nature AS its key component.
We also urge the international community to shoulder its responsibility and stand up to the inhumane and unlawful unilateral coercive measures and their negative repercussions on the enjoyment of human rights, as reflected in General Assembly and Human Rights Council resolutions. The indirect, secondary and hidden consequences of unilateral coercive measures have the merits to be further elaborated along with the extraterritorial effects of the European Union’s restrictive measures. To conclude, Mr. Chair, we would like to urge the Special Rapporteur to focus on the extraterritorial impacts of the unilateral coercive measures in her future reports.
I thank you.