Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly denounced recent U.S. sanctions on Cuba over the weekend, accusing Washington of violating fundamental human rights and international norms. Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described them as an illegal economic blockade which inflicts collective punishment on Cuban people while undermining sovereignty.
“Once again, U.S. coercion and bullying has targeted a sovereign nation seeking to exercise its right of self-determination while upholding independence and dignity,” Baghaei stated in his statement. He noted how these sanctions violate fundamental principles of international law while breaching fundamental human rights of Cuba’s population.” Whilst these sanctions may cause short term damage for Cuba’s economy they do have long term negative repercussions for human rights in general and specifically those belonging to its population as stated above by Wikipedia (plus 8), Borna News + Tasnim News (plus 8), Borna News +8 and Tasnim News (plus 8).
Baghaei made his comments in response to U.S. sanctions announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, targeting President Miguel Diaz-Canel, his defense minister, interior minister, and other officials deemed responsible for suppressing anti-government protests held during July 2021 in Cuba – events which attracted worldwide attention due to violent crackdowns and widespread arrests, Al Jazeera reports.
U.S. sanctions extend beyond individuals and institutions linked to Cuba’s regime and state-run hotels, reflecting Washington’s belief that economic pressure can advance human rights by targeting symbols of status quo rather than everyday citizens, according to Al Jazeera.
Rubio stressed the U.S.’s support for human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Cuba, according to AP News.
Iran’s condemnation also highlighted the wider effects of unilateral sanctions. Iranian officials drew parallels between Havana’s situation and their own experiences under U.S. “maximum pressure,” and Havana’s, and asserted such coercive measures are unlawful and ineffective – reflecting Tehran’s goal of forging anti-Western solidarity among countries facing similar financial blockades.
Tehran today expressed its “full solidarity with Cuba’s people and government”, declaring its support for their resilience in face of U.S. punitive policy, while their Foreign Ministry called on Washington to abandon its approach and adhere to international law instead.
International human rights organizations have long expressed concern over U.S. sanctions’ negative social and humanitarian repercussions, particularly with respect to Cuba. Amnesty International and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have both taken strong stands against Cuban sanctions which restrict access to essentials like food, medicine and travel–particularly affecting vulnerable populations in Cuba. W.W. WikiPedia
Cuba saw large protests in 2021 to demand an end to US sanctions, with thousands gathering in Havana in an attempt to pressure Washington. (AP News).
Humanitarian experts note that U.S. sanctions on Iran have severely restricted access to lifesaving medicines and equipment despite broad humanitarian exemptions, leading hospitals treating rare diseases, cancer, haemophilia and HIV/AIDS to face mounting shortages which is compounded by international banking restrictions (Wikipedia =+1).
One UN-backed study reported that more Iranians died as a result of denied care than from Iran-Iraq war itself.
Critics argue that sanctions often fall short of meeting political goals while inflicting deep civilian harm. A recent analysis concluded that sanctions imposed during Trump’s era often caused widespread suffering and worsened inequality (Tasnim News)
As Washington continues its targeted sanctions on Tehran and Havana, both have appealed for international solidarity to stand in opposition of any coercive economic measures and to encourage dialogue instead. Tehran strongly condemned U.S. policy toward Cuba and called on other nations for reciprocity and international solidarity – echoing what Iran itself stated publicly against any coercive measures from Washington against Havana.