A/HRC/43/61 11. On 3 October 2018, the International Court of Justice issued an order for provisional measures in proceedings instituted by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the United States invoking alleged violations of the Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations and Consular Rights concluded in 1955 by the two States, which also contains rules on freedom of trade and commerce. 16 The Government noted that the Court had concluded that assurances regarding humanitarian exemptions did not fully address the humanitarian and safety concerns raised, maintaining the risk of “irreparable prejudice” on health and life, in particular with regard to medicines, medical devices, foodstuffs and agricultural commodities.17 Proceedings in the case were ongoing as at November 2019.18 12. The Special Rapporteur continues to be concerned about the impact of sanctions and banking restrictions on the humanitarian operations of the United Nations and other organizations. He notes the statement by the Norwegian Refugee Council that “sanctions have a crippling effect on refugees, the poorest and on the humanitarian work we do for the most vulnerable”. 19 He notes the difficulty many humanitarian organizations face in obtaining the cash and supplies needed to conduct their work, resulting from challenges associated with payments to foreign companies, including for humanitarian transactions that should be exempt from the sanctions. The Government indicates that, following the floods of 16 March 2019, a number of humanitarian organizations faced serious difficulties in providing aid to the affected populations due to the sanctions imposed on financial transactions. Due diligence requirements, limited access to non-sanctioned banking services and shortages of foreign currency appear to have had a negative effect on much-needed humanitarian assistance.20 1. Right to food 13. An increase of 63.5 per cent in food prices compared to the same time in 2018 has contributed to a rise in the overall inflation rate, with the International Monetary Fund estimating the 2019 inflation rate at 35.7 per cent (consumer price index). 21 The loss in agricultural production resulting from the 2019 floods has contributed to the documented food-price inflation. According to the Statistical Centre of Iran, in October 2019 the price of red meat and poultry increased by 82.2 per cent, that of vegetables by 74.2 per cent, that of fruit and nuts by 67 per cent and that of cheese, milk and eggs by 45.8 per cent. 22 These increases have likely had significant negative repercussions on lower-income groups, which in many cases are already marginalized communities such as ethnic and religious minorities. 2. Right to health 14. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned about the impact of sanctions and banking restrictions on the right to health, particularly on the production, availability and distribution of medicines, pharmaceutical equipment and supplies. 23 He notes that a documented significant rise in the price of medicines 24 and the depletion of available stocks, combined with the risk of corruption 25 and smuggling, all create obstacles to health 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 https://www.icj-cij.org/files/case-related/175/175-20181003-ORD-01-00-EN.pdf. Ibid. www.icj-cij.org/files/case-related/164/164-20190213-JUD-01-00-EN.pdf. www.nrc.no/news/2019/august2/aid-work-in-iran-at-risk-due-to-u.s.-sanctions/; www.nrc.no/opinions-all/in-trump-iran-showdown-afghan-refugees-are-neglected-but-devastatingcollateral-damage/. www.bourseandbazaar.com/news-1/2019/10/29/us-sanctions-threaten-iranians-right-to-health-hrw. www.imf.org/en/Countries/IRN; https://djavadsalehi.com/2019/09/23/good-news-for-iran-from-theinflation-front/#more-4674. www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/News/1398/shg9807.pdf. www.isna.ir/news/98050703466/; https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/22/middleeast/iran-medicalshortages-intl/index.html; www.nytimes.com/2018/11/11/world/middleeast/iran-sanctions.html. https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-business-and-markets/93564/impact-of-us-sanctionson-irans-healthcare-sector; www.irna.ir/news/83236255/. www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/01/iran-us-sanctions-rentierism-pharmaceutical-sectormedicine.html. 5