“Like many countries, Iran has environmental problems. The sanctions not only prevent the Iranian government from taking effective action against them; they help compound the challengessaid the group of special rapporteurs and the independent expert on international solidarity in a statement.
Tehran pollution, ‘no surprise’
Air pollution is a particular concern and is reportedly causing higher levels of respiratory and other illnesses among residents, leading to an estimated 4,000 premature deaths per year in the capital, Tehran, and 40,000 premature deaths annually across the country.
“It is No wonder Tehran is one of the most polluted cities in the world‘ the experts stated. “US sanctions are forcing people to extend the use of older vehicles that burn fuel less efficiently, while making it impossible for Iran to obtain equipment and technology to reduce vehicle emissions.”
The US has imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran since the 1979 revolution and the sanctions remain in place combined with that stalled Joint comprehensive action plan (JCPOA), better known as the Iran Nuclear Deal. President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018.
The experts added that US efforts to enforce its sanctions by threatening to punish foreign companies doing business in Iran had prompted foreign automakers to leave Iran. “In order to, Iran has to rely on locally made engines and other equipment who can’t use the latest technologies,” they said.
Solar panels blocked
With an officer communication Experts told the US government in September that sanctions have also prompted foreign energy companies to abandon projects to build large solar power plants in Iran on a scale domestic companies cannot match.
“This is also a consequence of the sanctions,” they said, “since they prevent foreign investment.”
That Human Rights Council-appointed experts noted that the sanctions hinder Iranian scientists prevent Iranians from participating in joint environmental research projects abroad, and even deny Iranians access to online databases and courses on environmental issues and sustainability.
“The sanctions’ impact on the right to education and the right to benefit from scientific advances also blocks progress in improving Iran’s environment,” they said.
The UN General Assembly recognized the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in a resolution it passed in July 2022 — a resolution backed by the US, the experts noted.
contradiction
“The US obviously recognizes a clean environment as a right that affects other human rights,” they said, noting that the US identified environmental quality as important to human health when agreeing to work with the World Health Organization earlier this year (WHO) about environmental improvements.
“That Sanctions on Iran contradict what appears to be a clear US position on the matter“, They said.
“It is time that sanctions preventing Iran from improving the environment and reducing the negative impact on health and life are relaxed or lifted completely so that Iranians can exercise their right to a clean environment, the right to health.” and perceive life. and other rights associated with favorable environmental conditions”.
Special rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based Council investigate and report on a specific human rights issue or situation in a country. The positions are honorary and the experts are not paid for their work.
