Bahrain spoke on Tuesday at a conference entitled “Unilateral Coercive Measures: Obstacles to Trade and Sustainable Development” and said unilateral sanctions directly target the lives of ordinary people, contrary to the claims of countries that profess to protect human rights.
He stressed that unilateral coercive measures deprive developing countries of access to essential technology, investment and health services. He further pointed out that these sanctions not only put pressure on the economies of these countries, but also intensify the suffering and hardship of vulnerable populations.
Bahrain highlighted the unique role of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), saying it is well-equipped to assess the impact of sanctions and propose international solutions.
He also called on the conference’s final document to include a clause requiring UNCTAD to regularly assess the impact of unilateral sanctions and provide countries with mitigation solutions.
The conference, titled “Unilateral Coercive Measures: Obstacles to Trade and Sustainable Development,” was held on the sidelines of the 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 16). The meeting was attended by ministers, ambassadors and permanent representatives of developing countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, China, Venezuela, Cuba and Belarus, as well as the Director-General of the South Center, an intergovernmental organization based in Geneva.
MNA/IRN