The Humanitarian Task Force of the ISSG 8 April 2021
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Statement
By
Mr. Ehsan Matinrazm
Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Before
The Humanitarian Task Force of the ISSG
8 April 2021
Thank you, Mr. Pedulla and good morning to you all.
As yesterday was the World Health Day, I would like to commend all healthcare personnel across the globe who have been at the forefront of our global fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Our special thoughts and prayers should go to the doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers in conflict afflicted settings, particularly in Syria. They truly deserve to be spared additional unjust burden, that is “unilateral coercive measures” in the form of sweeping financial and economic sanctions that have affected the health sector at the cost of obstructing their heroic efforts to save lives and endangering their own lives.
Dear colleagues,
Much has been said about the plight of war battered Syrian people but too little is done to mitigate their suffering. Worse even, those who have long self-proclaimed themselves as advocates for the rights of the Syrians continue to inflict the people with ever intensifying pain and suffering through the imposition and application of unjust and inhuman economic sanctions. As it was said by Mr. Muhannad Hadi, the continuing socioeconomic downturn and rising prices for food and healthcare services are likely to contribute to the deteriorating humanitarian crisis.
Dear colleagues,
The United States' unilateral sanctions against Syria is nothing short of war crimes and crimes against humanity as they indiscriminately target the whole population and strip them of their basic rights to health, to food and to life. They are deliberately and knowingly calibrated to starve the Syrian people. Those other States that are enforcing the US criminal sanctions or imposing their own similar set of restrictive measures are complicit in the US wrongful act and shall be held to account sooner rather than later.
Dear colleagues,
Despite all the challenges caused by the decade long war and the US/EU ever increasing unjust and unlawful sanctions, the Syrian Government has made its utmost efforts to curb the pandemic and to save lives. The government has developed the National Vaccination Plan (NDVP) and the Action Plan which included providing necessary health care service in 76 hospitals and 101 health centers. The needs for mobile teams were defined, especially in the regions, villages and communities where there are no fixed health centers as those mentioned previously. The mobile teams cover the targeted groups of priority with vaccination at homes for the elderly, and those in the shelters and prisons. The action Plan also noted the importance of the presence of mobile teams, especially in the north-eastern governorates. The Plan took also note of the National Vaccination Program of the cooperation with UNRWA and UNHCR.
Dear colleagues,
International solidarity and assistance need to be mobilized in order to mitigate the untold suffering of the Syrian people. That's for sure. But what is more urgent and more effective in terms of easing the humanitarian situation is to urge for removal of unilateral sanctions that are the main obstacles for effective response to the humanitarian needs of the people.
It goes without saying, though, that the only lasting solution for the crisis is working toward ending the conflict through the political process and ensuring Syria’s full sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as facilitating the reconstruction as well as safe and dignified return of all Syrian refugees to their home land.
I thank you.