Evaluating of US Anti-Iranian Sanctions Under the context of Defending Human Rights

Subject Areas :

Mahmood Jalali ^{1 *} , Setareh Sadeghi Mohammadi ² , Mojtaba Babaei ³

1 - Assistant Professor, University of Isfahan
2 - M.A. student in political science, Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch
3 - PhD student in international relations, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Isfahan

Received: 2014-05-10 Accepted : 2014-06-19 Published : 2014-06-01

Keywords: Iran, Human rights, the United States, Sanction,

Abstract :

Abstract Human rights as one of the main features of civilization and development of human community enjoy special significance in international relations. However, ambiguity in its definition and the instrumental use of this concept are considered as major challenges for the promotion of the current status of human rights in the World. Under such conditions, the West particularly the US, intervening in the internal affairs of other countries on the pretext of defending democracy and human rights, has launched propaganda against many countries through its public and media diplomacy. From 1993 to 1996, the US imposed over 61 unilateral sanctions on 35 countries which covered 42% of the world’s population. The extraterritorial nature of the unilateral sanctions by the US has caused a controversy. Many states believe that such sanctions violate their sovereignty rights as independent nations. Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the US has always considered 'sanctions' as one of the tools to change Iran’s approach. Washington has highlighted human rights sanctions as 'smart sanctions', imposed under human rights claims to pressure Iran to give concessions and adopt an inactive diplomacy in political fields particularly in nuclear issue. This paper seeks to study the role of human rights sanctions in the US strategy against Iran and find proper and practical approaches to manage the challenges and opportunities facing Iran in this regard.