Alena Douhan said: “I am struck by the pervasive human rights and humanitarian impact of the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria, and the complete economic and financial isolation of Syria. a country where people are struggling to rebuild a dignified life. Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights.
Paralyzing sanctions
In one statement After a 12-day visit to the country, she detailed the catastrophic effects that sanctions are having on all aspects of life.
Currently, 90% of Syria’s population is living below the poverty line, she said, pointing to their access to food, water, electricity, shelter, fuel for cooking and heating, transport and care. health care is limited.
Furthermore, the growing economic hardship threatens to cause a major brain drain in the country.
“With more than half of critical infrastructure completely destroyed or severely damaged, the imposition of unilateral sanctions on key economic sectors, including oil, gas, electricity, Trade, construction and engineering have reduced national income and undermined efforts towards economic recovery, Ms. Douhan said.
Violation of human rights
At the same time, the blocking of bank payments and the refusal of deliveries by foreign manufacturers, along with limited foreign currency reserves due to sanctions, have caused serious shortages of drugs. yeast and specialized medical equipment, especially for the treatment of chronic and rare diseases.
And due to the lack of equipment and spare parts, Ms. Douhan warned that the restoration and development of the water distribution network for drinking and irrigation, has stalled, seriously affecting public health and Food Security.
“Given the current worsening and deteriorating humanitarian situation where 12 million Syrians face food insecurity, I call for the immediate lifting of all measures,” she said. unilateral sanctions severely damage human rights and impede any early recovery, reconstruction and reconstruction efforts,” she said.
“Not to mention the good aims of unilateral sanctions justifying violations of basic human rights. The international community has an obligation to unite and help the Syrian people.”
Other consequences
The Special Rapporteur also highlighted the negative effects of sanctions on international cooperation in science, the arts, sports, national cultural heritage and the preservation of artifacts.
In addition, she also focuses on their harmful effects on access to new technologies, online information platforms, capacity to fight crime and security across the region, as well as the issue of water assets. in addition to being frozen by Syrian financial institutions and others.
“I call on the international community and the Sanctioning States in particular, attention to the devastating impact of sanctions and take quick and concrete steps to address the over-compliance of businesses and banks under international human rights law,” the UN expert said.
Citing a view she has heard expressed many times, she said: “I have seen much suffering, but now I see dead hope”.
Wide-ranging visit
During his visit, the UN expert met with representatives from governmental organizations, NGOs, humanitarian organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations and the diplomatic community.
In addition to the capital, Damascus, she visited the city of Homs, the Homs countryside and the Damascus countryside.
Ms. Douhan will present a report to Dong Nhan Quyen Association next September.
The Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council based in Geneva to check and report back about a particular human rights topic or a country situation. The positions are honorary and professionals are not paid for their work.
