Iran at UN: Exemption of humanitarian goods 'terrible lie'

The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic to the United Nations has censured the US for imposing inhumane restrictive measures against Iran especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the illegal sanctions deprived the country of its right to have access to vaccines at the appropriate time.

In a statement read out by Iranian diplomat Mohammad Ghorbanpour to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly on Friday, the mission rejected any claim that humanitarian goods are exempt from bans.

“We strongly condemn the imposition of inhumane, illegal and unilateral American coercive measures, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. These illegal measures, which have been taken by the United States with the support of its allies, are aimed at confiscating Iran's resources abroad and preventing third countries from legitimate trade with Iran, especially the supply of humanitarian goods,” it said.

“Inhumane, illegal and unilateral coercive measures deprived even the Islamic Republic of access to COVID-19 vaccines. It is unfortunate that some countries arrogantly claim that humanitarian goods are exempt from sanctions, and this is a terrible lie.”

Leader: Foreign providers agreed to sell Iran vaccines only after domestic jab production

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says foreign providers of COVID vaccines initially reneged on their promises and refused sales to Iran, but changed course and started providing Iran with vaccines only after the country successfully managed to produce jabs against the deadly virus at home.

Also in its statement, the mission reaffirmed Iran’s unwavering commitment to the principles and goals of the UN Charter, including respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs.

It further stressed a non-selective approach towards human rights and non-politicization of the issue. 

Large-scale human-rights violations have become routine, it said, pointing to “the seemingly unending war on Yemen” and ethnic cleansing in the occupied Palestinian territories by the “despotic Israeli regime.”

“In fact, those who advise others about human rights and present themselves as leading defenders of human dignity not only lack the necessary determination and will in this regard, but also pursue the path of hypocrisy in fulfilling their human rights obligations. They are the main supporters of the criminals in the occupied Palestinian lands and sophisticated weapons that are used against Palestinian and Yemeni women and children on a daily basis,” the mission underlined.

"Unfortunately, the world is witnessing horrific crimes committed by the so-called flag-bearers of human rights against indigenous people. Recent revelations in Canada about crimes against indigenous people prove that the methods of occupying lands through ethnic cleansing … have either become normal or accepted.”

The Iranian mission also emphasized that dialog and cooperation based on mutual respect is the only way to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights at the international level, noting that using human rights as a weapon, adopting a selective approach and relying on double standards do not help achieve common goals.

Expressing concerns for the people of Afghanistan, particularly the displaced, it said the situation in the South Asian country “clearly demonstrates the true face of the United States” and others who invaded two decades ago under the pretext of fighting terrorism and upholding human rights. 

"The right to development is a fundamental right for developing states. We condemn any attempt by some countries to prevent the development of developing states and maintain their own all-out monopoly on international relations,” it added.

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