These sufferers endure from epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a extreme and life-threatening pores and skin situation, which causes extraordinarily painful wounds. Many are kids, who’re also known as “butterfly youngsters” due to their fragile pores and skin.
Concern of secondary sanctions
Nonetheless, a Swedish firm which makes the bandages that reportedly are the best therapy for his or her situation, has determined to halt shipments to Iran because of worry of secondary sanctions as a part of over-compliance.
The specialists defined that many banks and companies worldwide, together with pharmaceutical and medical corporations, over-comply to keep away from threat of any potential penalties.
“They refuse to finance exempted commerce or to conduct the corresponding transactions with sanctioned international locations. This has prevented the Iranian enterprise associate of that Swedish firm from with the ability to import the bandages, although medical and different humanitarian items have been introduced to be exempt from the sanctions,” they mentioned in a press release.
Because of this, EB sufferers in Iran can not get pleasure from the suitable to well being, mentioned the specialists.
They additional cited one other UN impartial professional who had earlier decided that denying entry to ache reduction violates the suitable to be free from inhuman therapy that causes extreme ache and struggling, even when unintentionally.
Guarantee all rights
“This is just one of many examples sadly illustrating the plight of hundreds of individuals, together with kids, brought on by over-compliance with sanctions by third events, out of worry of being sanctioned in flip.”
Though the Swedish bandage maker has a human rights coverage, the specialists mentioned its choice, and the actions of the Swedish Authorities, “breach their worldwide accountability to make sure your entire vary of human rights.”
They recalled that corporations have an obligation to keep away from infringing on human rights all through their operations, and wherever they do enterprise, consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. On the identical time, Governments should guarantee company actions align with this goal.
“Whereas corporations are free to determine the place to promote their merchandise, corporations that produce essential medical and humanitarian items have a particular accountability,” the specialists added.
In the direction of a decision
“When gross sales of a medical product that improves the suitable to well being and prevents struggling are halted in a rustic, and no equal various product is out there, that proper is harmed for individuals who have been helped by it.”
They mentioned the state of affairs reveals obvious gaps within the due diligence processes utilized by the corporate and by the Swedish Authorities to anticipate and forestall human rights penalties arising from the actions of enterprise enterprises and their companions.
In the meantime one of many specialists, Alena Douhan, has contacted each the corporate and the Swedish Authorities in efforts to resolve this downside and tackle any broader points associated to human rights due diligence processes.
Ms. Douhan is the UN Particular Rapporteur on the adverse impression of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. She signed the assertion alongside 5 different rapporteurs and impartial specialists.
All of them have been appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and work on a voluntary foundation. The specialists serve of their particular person capability and are neither UN employees, nor do they obtain a wage from the Group.
