UN human rights expert raises concern about newly imposed sanctions on Iran

GENEVA (21 January 2016) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and unilateral sanctions, Idriss Jazairy, today welcomed the lifting of sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear program by the international community, which coincided with the release of four Iranian-Americans prisoners.

“This weekend’s achievement with regard to the lifting of sanctions to Iran’s nuclear programme is a clear example that political will and multilateral diplomacy are effective,” Mr. Jazairy said. “The implementation of the nuclear deal opens a new chapter for Iran.”

However, the independent expert raised his concern about the newly imposed sanctions on individuals and entities related to Iran's missile programme less than 24 hours after the announcement of the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions. “There must be another way to overcome diplomatic differences, and continue the positive dynamic towards peace,” he stressed.

The Special Rapporteur reiterated his urgent call on countries applying unilateral sanctions to identify other paths to achieving the same objectives. “I believe that this approach should be increasingly considered and that finally diplomatic negotiated settlements should be given prominence over unilateral coercive measures,” Mr. Jazairy noted. 

“I would like to encourage both governments to intensify dialogue and not to let these disagreements affect the diplomatic achievement unfolded this weekend,” the expert said. “I congratulate the Iranian people as their reconnection with the global economy starts with this landmark accord.” 

The UN Human Rights Council established the Special Rapporteur’s mandate in September 2014, in response to increasing concern by the UN human rights system and the international community about the negative impact of sanctions, including unilateral coercive measures, on the enjoyment of human rights, particularly their negative impact on the human rights of the civilian population of targeted countries.

ENDS

Mr. Idriss Jazairy was appointed by the Human Rights Council as the first Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. He took office on 1 May 2015. Mr. Jazairy has extensive experience in the fields of international relations and human rights with the Algerian Foreign Ministry, the UN human rights system and international NGOs. He holds a M.A.(Oxford) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and an M.P.A. (Harvard). He also graduated from the Ecole nationale d’Administration (France). Mr. Jazairy is the author of books and of a large number of articles in the international press on development, human rights and current affairs. Learn more, log on to: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/UCM/Pages/SRCoerciveMeasures.aspx

The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

UN Human Rights, Country Page – Iran: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AsiaRegion/Pages/IRIndex.aspx

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