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VP: Iran to file lawsuit against US at Hague for prevention of humanitarian aid to flooded people

23 Apr 2019 - 16:40


FNA - Iranian Vice-President for Legal Affairs Laya Joneydi underlined efforts to lodge a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague against Washington for blocking humanitarian aid to the flood-hit people in Iran.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will pursue the US violation and illegal prevention of humanitarian aid, in cash, to those harmed in the floods through complaint with the ICJ," Joneidi said on Tuesday.

She noted that Iran's Red Crescent Society has not been able to receive any aid in cash via banks to help the flood-stricken people, adding, "This shows a major violation by the US, specially in area of human rights and humanitarian rights."

Unprecedented rainfalls since March 19 triggered disastrous floods in Iran. The tragedy started in the four Northern provinces of Mazandaran, Golestan, Semnan and North Khorassan on March 20. Thirty provinces of Iran have been hit by severe weather conditions since then.

Earlier this month, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) announced that Tehran had not been able to receive any foreign financial aid because of Washington’s “inhuman" sanctions against the country.

"No foreign cash donation has been made to the Iranian Red Crescent Society yet and basically there are no financial channels available to do this," the IRCS said in a statement on April 7.

"Some institutions and countries have expressed their readiness to donate and also declared certain sums of money; but as a result of the inhuman US sanctions, there is no way to send this cash assistance" to Iran, the statement added.

The IRCS emphasized in another part of its statement that despite US officials' claims, Washington's sanctions have caused difficulties in the way of helping people affected by flooding and influenced logistical capacities, particularly air relief.

The IRCS had not been able to buy new aid helicopters due to the unilateral sanctions imposed by the US and is also facing difficulties for buying spare parts to maintain its existing aid helicopter fleet, the statement added.

Official accounts are confirming that so far 76 lives have been claimed by the recent floods in Iran, while hundreds of thousands have been left homeless.


Story Code: 346250

News Link :
https://www.theiranproject.com/en/news/346250/vp-iran-to-file-lawsuit-against-us-at-hague-for-prevention-of-humanitarian-aid-flooded-people

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