He said that the sanctions have been imposed under the so-called maximum pressure campaign that has been launched with the aim of genocide and crimes against humanity against the Iranian people.
Gharibabadi made the comments during his speech at the 51st regular session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva where he spoke about the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights.
He referred to a visit earlier in 2022 to Iran by the UN special rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, saying that the visit by Ms. Alena Douhan was carried out successfully and professionally, adding that following the visit, one of the most important international documents on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights was handed over to the Human Rights Council.
Gharibabadi said that the special rapporteur’s report reflects only part of the irreparable impact of the unilateral sanctions against the fundamental rights of the Iranian people. Yet, he added, the report highlights more than before the necessity for a responsible behavior by the international community in the face of those imposing and implementing the unilateral coercive measures, especially the United States and its allies, and the responsibility they should shoulder.
He said that some governments, on top of them the US, have over the past several decades used unlawful unilateral sanctions as a tool in their foreign policy.
Gharibabadi called for the creation of mechanisms to hold these governments accountable over the measures, saying that other countries should also refuse to recognize the unlawful and illegitimate measures.
The Iranian official said that the extent of the sanctions against his country is so large that it excludes any “humanitarian exemption”, adding that the exemption is only on paper and is an attempt to deceive public opinion regarding criticism against the unilateral coercive measures targeting the country.
He also denounced certain states for criticizing the human rights situation in Iran, saying that these countries have violated the rights of the Iranian people by imposing or implementing the anti-Iran unilateral sanctions or remaining silent on these measures.
He said that these countries should lift the unlawful unilateral sanctions which are threatening the lives of millions of Iranians, if they are really honest that they want to defend the rights of the Iranian people.
Gharibabadi said that the imposition of the most extensive unilateral sanctions regime against the Iranian nation is aimed at causing serious harm to physical and mental health of the people, adding that it shows an inhumane behavior and is regarded as a crime against humanity.
The Iranian official also said that the imposition of unilateral coercive measures will undoubtedly weaken “unilateralism” and disrupt “international order” through challenging “international peace and solidarity” and weakening “joint responsibilities” of governments based on the UN Charter.
He called on the Human Rights Council to take into consideration the report by Ms. Alena Douhan in its documents and resolutions.