A female Iranian university professor says unlawful unilateral Western sanctions and coercive measures have hampered the growth and prosperity of ordinary Iranians especially women in various spheres. 

Dr. Niloufar Moghaddam, a university professor from Tehran’s al-Zahra University, told a recent UN annual high-level panel that Iran was committed to promoting their rights despite the hurdles created by the illegal US sanctions.  

The discussions, attended by human rights experts, were held on the sidelines of 58th regular session of the Human Rights Council  in the Swiss city of Geneva.

She pointed out that sanctions had left a significant impact on the Iranian economy over the past decade.

“Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has been under various sanctions, but the most severe sanctions were imposed on Iran in 2018 when United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the Trump administration launched a maximum pressure campaign.” 

Sanctions have also had a “serious impact on the welfare of the people, especially in low-income families”, she added. 

“The economic pressure caused by the sanctions has reduced the purchasing power of households, and many families have been forced to reduce their consumption of basic good,” she said while examining the impact of sanctions on lives of ordinary Iranian families.

“Medical costs have also increased, so that many families are unable to afford medical expenses.”

The professor went on to point out the social and psychological effects of sanctions on ordinary Iranians and families.

“The sanctions have not only affected the economy but have also led to increased poverty, a mental health crisis, and a decline in the level of welfare and education for children.”

She also said unilateral coercive sanctions have created a “vicious cycle” in which countries were unable to meet the “basic needs of their citizens.”

“Therefore, instead of imposing sanctions, the focus should be on dialogue and effective engagement.”

Addressing the panel, Mona Rahmani, an Iranian rights activist stressed that punitive measures were making it difficult for even children to access “proper education and medical equipment.” 

This has directly affected certain patients, including those with Thalassemia and the disabled, and has disrupted their treatment process, she said

Rahmani spoke of pregnant women who are unable to receive standard medical services due to sanctions.

 Dr. Rahmani stated that although it is claimed that pharmaceuticals and medical equipment are exempt from sanctions, pharmaceutical companies and medical equipment manufacturers are refusing to cooperate with Iran for fear of sanctions. 

The human rights activist also addressed the problems of Iranian students, stating that they face numerous obstacles to studying at international universities. 

Also, scientific articles by Iranian researchers are not accepted in many international journals due to unjust punitive measures, the activist said. 

Rahmani also said to the presence of more than 6 million foreign nationals, especially the Afghan refugees, in the country were being affected by the unjust US-led embargoes. 

She concluded by saying that these restrictions “violate the human dignity  and are against the principles of human rights.”