A/HRC/22/48 economic sanctions effectively prevent transfers to the country, it is difficult, if not impossible, for importers to pay for medical supplies and equipment. 45 As a result, several foreign companies have stopped delivering consignments of medicine. Recently, various officials in the Iranian health sector and a number of Iranian non-governmental organizations have argued that sanctions have led to a significant rise in suffering as well as increasing mortality rates mainly due to the unavailability of a wide range of essential drugs, shortages of medical supplies and equipment to treat serious diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and blood disorders.46 53. Since December 2011, the Iranian rial has depreciated by over 80 per cent, mostly in September and October 2012. As a result, the prices of basic staples foods have been rising on a daily basis, making it difficult for the population to cope with the currency’s devaluation.47 This devaluation of currency in early October 2012 triggered protests in Tehran, where traders, shopkeepers and money changers took to the street to voice their anger over the Governments’ management of the economy and the effects of sanctions. Security forces reportedly used tear gas and batons to disperse the protesters. A number of people are reported to have been arrested during the protests on 3 October. The authorities have also arrested and shut down a number of money exchangers in Tehran. III. Cooperation with international human rights mechanisms and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights A. Cooperation with the United Nations human rights treaty system 54. Following consideration of the third periodic report of the Islamic Republic of Iran (CCPR/C/IRN/3) in October 2011 submitted to it, the Human Rights Committee requested the Government to provide, within one year, relevant information on the implementation of the Committee’s recommendations made in paragraphs 9, 12, 13 and 22 of its concluding observations (CCPR/C/IRN/CO/3), which deal with inequality of women with regard to marriage, family and inheritance; the death penalty including executions of minors; and the independence of judges. At the time of writing, the Committee had received no further information. B. Cooperation with special procedures 55. During his mission to the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Secretary-General encouraged the authorities to cooperate with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, notably the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and urged the Government to grant him access to the country. The Secretary-General regrets that the Special Rapporteur has still not been able to visit the country, as he believes 45 46 47 16 www.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/iranian-health-minister-calls-medication-money, www.cffsd.org/news/632 and www.jahannews.com/vdcdxz0xzyt0996.2a2y.html (in Persian). President of the Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences, letter addressed to the Secretary-General, 26 November 2012. Ibid.; see also www.presstv.com/detail/2012/12/12/277695/sanctions-target-iran-public-health/, www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/17/iran-sanctions-lives-at-risk and www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/05/us-iran-medicine-idUSBRE8B40NM20121205. See www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/01/iran-currency-rial-all-time-low and www.economist.com/node/21564229.