Iran envoy calls for ending unilateral, coercive sanctions

Tehran, IRNA – The ambassador and deputy permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Zahra Ershadi highlighted the negative impacts of unilateral sanctions against Iranian patients suffering from HIV and called for putting an end to coercive measures. "We would like to call upon those responsible to immediately remove such obstacles that limit the capacity of developing countries in order to provide affordable and effective HIV prevention as well as treatment products, diagnostics, medicines, commodities, and other pharmaceutical products," Ershadi said addressing the General Assembly Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the political declarations on HIV/AIDS. The full text of Ershadi's speech is as follows: In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful At the outset, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report under this agenda item entitled “Tackling inequalities to end the AIDS pandemic”. As rightly mentioned in the SG’s report, the efforts to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030 still remain off-track. Based on this information, Member States are urged to take immediate action against those challenges that play a role in slowing progress. Not only must the world face and address the AIDS pandemic, it must also face the compounding issues that have evolved as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well. With both pandemics colliding, we continue to witness the world failing to address the underlying barriers to equitable access to healthcare services as it remains dangerously underprepared. Therefore, we need to build on our remarkable progress thus far on different fronts while also surging up our efforts to achieve the bold objectives that we all are committed to. The Islamic Republic of Iran is among one of the most committed countries in the Asia region to have made remarkable achievements in the control and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, Iran is among one of the few countries in the region to provide secure access for the health needs of people living with HIV, including high-risk populations affected by AIDS, who receive specialized treatment and healthcare services free of charge. Eradicating the mother-to-child transmission of HIV is one of the top priorities of my Country as well, and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS can play a pivotal role in this area. Mr. Chairman, As it is reflected in recommendation 3 of the SG’s report, it should be ensured that the latest medicines and health technologies for HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, including a future HIV vaccine, are rapidly made available and affordable for developing countries. Bearing this in mind, all of the obstacles that stand in the way of this access should be removed. Unfortunately, unilateral coercive measures in the form of unilateral financial and banking sanctions imposed against Iran have seriously violated the right to health of Iranians, particularly amongst populations living with AIDS. Such unjust and harmful sanctions disrupt normal channels of international cooperation and continue to remain as a major source of concern adversely affecting Iran’s national endeavors in its fight against all kinds of diseases. Furthermore, these measures prevent timely and effective access to diagnostics, medicine, vaccines, medical equipment, technologies, and other supplies required for the comprehensive provision of healthcare services, especially for those affected by or living with HIV/AIDS. My delegation expresses its grave concern over such unilateral illegal policies and practices that hinder efforts to provide access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services. We would like to call upon those responsible to immediately remove such obstacles that limit the capacity of developing countries in order to provide affordable and effective HIV prevention as well as treatment products, diagnostics, medicines, commodities, and other pharmaceutical products. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish