Impact of Economic Sanctions on Social Human Rights in IRAN

Under article 41 of the United Nations Charter, the Security Council may decide what measures, not involving the use of force, are to be employed to give effect to its decisions and may call open Member States to apply such measures in order to maintain or restore international peace and security. In this framework, from 31July 2006, Security Council has passed 6 Resolutions against IRAN. United States, furthermore, has continued its comprehensive sanctions against Iran. EU and some countries like Australia, Canada, India, and Japan have imposed sanctions on Iran following the resolutions of Security Council. The above sanctions have great varieties and types, not involving military force, but involve trade embargoes (economic Sanctions), arms embargoes, servicing of communications. This paper reviews the impact of economic sanctions on social human rights especially on health, health services, education and food security drawing on data available from Iran. Although the Iranian data and statistics systems are not transparent and reliable, data from surveillance systems for nutrition, reportable disease and medicine will combine with survey data and interview with affected person, governmental representatives, diplomats, and staff of nongovernmental organizations. In the article, the legality and legitimacy of transnational and international economic sanctions in the light of international law and their impact on human rights especially positive social rights in Iran have been analyzed and it is concluded that the implementation of economic sanctions in Iran resulted in extensive violations of rights; the impact was greatest on the most disadvantaged Iranian but sanctioned elites escaped from the consequences of the sanctions.