Iran envoy to UN calls for immediate removal of sanctions

In the meeting of the General Assembly on AIDS, Majid Takht Ravanchi said Iran made progress in the health and well-being of people at risk of or affected by HIV as well as eliminating the transmission of the disease from mother to child, harm reduction, and reducing of the transmission of AIDS among drug users.

Yet, despite the significant progress, Iran still was suffering from oppressive unilateral US sanctions that were contrary to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law and the basic norms of international relations, Takht Ravanchi pointed out.

He noted: "Illegal sanctions are responsible for the reduction of public and private resources allocated for HIV prevention and treatment, adversely impacting the HIV/AIDS response, negatively affecting health systems, hindering access to medical products as well as affordable technology and partnerships, including with international financial institutions."

US jeopardize Iranian health for political ends

"Under the current circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the negative impacts of such measures on the public health of my country have been exacerbated with particularly negative consequences for women, children, adolescents, the elderly, and persons with disabilities," the envoy added.

He warned that jeopardizing the health and safety of entire populations for political ends was illegal and a war crime and crime against humanity, which entailed international responsibility.

The Iranian envoy to the UN stressed "We have the ethical responsibility to strongly oppose such sanctions and call for their immediate removal."

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