IWPF chief: Anti-Iran sanctions blatant violation of human rights

Anti-Iran unilateral sanctions imposed by the US are practically putting people under pressure, which is an obvious violation of human rights, said the secretary general of the Islamic World Peace Forum (IWPF).

In May 2018, President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed between Iran and the P5+1 in July 2015, and reimposed Washington’s unilateral sanctions on Tehran in two phases.

Speaking to Iran Daily, Davoud Ameri added, today, US sanctions are practically targeting Iranians’ essential needs.

He noted although the White House claims that pharmaceuticals, foodstuff, agricultural products and medical equipment and devices are exempted from the sanctions, banking restrictions imposed by Washington on Tehran and those blocking Iran’s access to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) are practically posing fundamental problems to the processes of supplying medicine and foodstuff to Iranians and meeting their basic needs.

Ameri said the form of wars has now changed, adding military conflicts have been traditionally among the indices of violating human rights and perpetrating violence against people, but economic war and sanctions are now regarded as violence against humans.

Economic sanctions directly impact a country’s trade, transactions and people and even their livelihood, he noted.

“Nowadays, sanctions are targeting those nations that basically do not want to give in to pressure. Such sanctions are being imposed regardless of any of international regulations.”

Ameri said the sanctions imposed on Iran are a striking example of US unilateralism and exploitation of other states.

“Americans seek to force the Iranian people into giving in to their illegitimate demands by exerting pressure and imposing sanctions. However, Iranians will resist and refrain from surrendering to pressure.”

The US fails to notice that its pressure on Iran will eventually lead to a great awakening in the world and reveal its true cruel face to people all over the globe, he mentioned.

“Today, we are witnessing a kind of anti-American move pervading the world, which is such powerful that is shedding light on the so-called dreamlike and favorable image the US has been presenting of itself to the public opinion.”

Ameri added previously, only freedom-seeking people, elites and thinkers or countries, such as Iran, used to condemn and reproach US unilateralism and hegemonic efforts, noting that nevertheless at present, many countries acknowledge them.

If countries’ growing criticisms of US hegemonic and unilateral moves continue, Washington will definitely come under great pressure in the international community, he said.

Slamming the US for abusing human rights, the IWPF chief noted, “Americans imagine that they are the main defenders of such rights.”

But, he continued, the US version of human rights include nothing but betraying and oppressing people.

Ameri added that discrimination is tangible at US approach toward human rights in different countries.

“Whenever human rights are in contradiction with their interests, Americans disagree with them. They act like a police officer who orders others to obey laws and regulations, but he, himself, violates them.”

Stressing that the American human rights look beautiful outside but ugly inside, he noted, adding, the US seeks to create civil conflicts in other countries and make changes to their establishments to safeguard its own interests on the pretexts of spreading democracy and observing human rights.

Ameri mentioned that the US accuses Muslim countries of violating human rights while it is currently the biggest violator of these rights.

“They are supporting terrorism in today’s world and [at the same time] claiming to be fighting it. The US is focusing on the issue of terrorism to violate the world order. By creating a kind anarchy and chaos in other countries, it seeks to create the condition it desires in those states. This is exactly what the US is doing in countries such as Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.”

The form of human rights the US desires is purchasable, he said, noting that Saudi Arabia and Israel have many times changed issues pertaining to human rights issues in their favor by spending their dollars.

“At present, the world’s biggest disaster is taking place in Yemen, which is in contradiction with all international law criteria. However, the US is supporting it as Riyadh is paying it handsomely.”

Source: Iran Daily