By Tarra Olfat
On November 15, 2019, several hundred Iranian citizens took to the streets to protest the rising prices of fuel. In its aftermath, four hundred and fifty were found dead. Prompting authorities to respond with a week-long internet blackout, this series of demonstrations are the most violent since the 1979 revolution. This latest demonstration accounts for the second protest arising from economic motivations in less than a year. While centered around the inflation crippling Iran's economy, the protests are a direct result of the unilateral sanctions placed by the United States, which violate several fundamental human rights.
Dating back to the 19th century, sanctions have been utilized by several countries in order to influence a change in the behavior of other states. The United States has intermittently imposed economic sanctions on Iran since 1979; however, on November 5, 2018, the Trump administration re-imposed what the U.S. Treasury calls the “toughest… sanctions ever imposed on Iran.” Due to their severity, Iran’s inflation rates have skyrocketed, jumping from 8% in April 2018 to 40.4% in July 2019. The Iranian working class responded to the sanction-induced inflation with a seven-month-long demonstration, initially sparked by a rise in the price of eggs. Due to the reluctance of foreign countries to trade with Iran while sanctions are in place, Iranians are having trouble accessing adequate healthcare. Additionally, Iran has been forced to employ crude oil as a fuel source in the absence of imported oil refining materials, leading to increased air pollution.
Ultimately, the U.S. sanctions prevent Iranians from addressing their basic needs, consequently violating their right to a sufficient standard of life.[n1] As outlined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the right to an adequate standard of living, health, and a sustainable environment are all essential facets of living a dignified life. By obstructing Iran’s ability to receive vital resources, sanctions are destroying its economy and therefore impeding on Iranian’s right to an adequate standard of living through crude oil pollution and embargoes on medical imports. Moreover, the Iranian government is unable to access foreign aid to counteract the damaging effect of embargoes because other countries fear incurring secondary sanctions or legal action from trade with Iran.
While sanctions are recognized as a peaceful and moderate form of upholding international law, they prove to be a flawed form of diplomacy--especially unilateral sanctions.[n2] The contrast between the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations proves the failure of unilateral sanctions. Under the Bush and Trump administrations--which both imposed unilateral sanctions--Iran did not comply with the terms. However, under the Obama administration, the employment of multilateral sanctions led to successful negotiations between Iran and the United States, ultimately bolstering positive relations. Through the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iranian government revived its economy.[n3] They also were able to comply with the terms of the deal successfully,[n4] as opposed to the current unattainable conditions. Moreover, the JCPOA ameliorated the high cost of sanctions for U.S. businesses.
Currently, the U.S. government is bolstering the regime it aims to remove by re-imposing malicious unilateral sanctions. The Iranian government owns sixty percent of the economy; with the rise in scarcity due to the strict embargoes, the regime has better control of the distribution of goods. Not only does this strengthen the regime, but it also radicalizes their response to dissent-- as seen through their violent reaction to the recent protests. By imposing harsh unilateral sanctions, the United States is violating several fundamental human rights. But, their actions are also encouraging the same violations against the Iranian people by their government.
Unilateral sanctions, in particular, deter nearly all human rights, including the right to self-determination, the right to health, the right to education, the right to an adequate standard of living, and the right to development. Countries should no longer utilize unilateral sanctions as an instrument for influence. However, it would be impractical to propose the eradication of all forms of sanctions. Instead, when contemplating sanctions as a means of action, they should be considered with the same gravity as military action. Similarly, any sanctions should be multilateral and preceded by a policy statement from all countries involved, stating the justification and intended goal of the sanctions.. Not only will this lead to milder sanction terms, but it will also prevent the implementation of sanctions with open-ended or malicious intent. Finally, a third party, such as a body in the United Nations, should assess the legality of sanctions in place and measure the compliance of the countries enforcing the embargo. This will prevent any further infractions on human rights through sanctions.
Ultimately, the United States government is impeding Iranians’ right to an adequate standard of life, health, and a sustainable environment through their unilateral sanctions. If the U.S. continues to implement these sanctions, the Iranian economy will fall into a deep recession, the majority of Iranians will fall into poverty, and violent political protest will become rampant. It is imperative to consider the cost that the U.S. is incurring by blindly violating fundamental human rights. Through a few reforms and the upkeep of humanitarian exemptions, the United States can mend their violations, allowing for a proper standard of life for Iranians.
Tarra Olfat is a second-year at the College of William & Mary where she majors in Government.
