Introduction to the Theory of Positive Discrimination in the Human Rights System

Posted on June 23, 2014July 10, 2024 by admin

One of the fundamental principles in the human rights system is the principle of non-discrimination, so that the United Nations Charter in Article 1 of its statement of goals for the formation of the United Nations, promotes and encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without discrimination based on sex, race, language, or religion, as well as other human rights documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Covenants in Article 2 emphasize adherence to this fundamental principle. The principle of non-discrimination, which is derived from the principle of equality of all human beings, is one of the cornerstones of the international human rights system.

In the dominant view of classical international law, there is a clear negative attitude towards the principle of non-discrimination (negative discrimination). However, in recent years, there has been a trend towards a positive approach to this principle, which is interpreted as positive discrimination. Today, positive discrimination, which has become a common term in Persian political and legal literature, is equivalent to affirmative action in American literature, positive discrimination in European literature, and reservation in Indian laws. It refers to a set of programs and policies implemented by constitutional or ordinary laws in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of a country with the aim of achieving real equality in society by compensating for past discrimination, eliminating existing discrimination, and providing future support for vulnerable human groups who are subject to discrimination, such as minorities, women, people with disabilities, and others. Although these actions may seem inconsistent with the principle of equality, they are in fact just and in line with the principles of human rights.

According to Aristotle’s definition, justice means treating equal individuals equally and unequal individuals unequally. This definition justifies unequal treatment of unequal human groups, such as slaves, women, and disabled individuals, while still being fair. As a result, the second part of Aristotle’s definition is often seen as promoting positive discrimination. One of the rational and moral justifications for unequal treatment is presented in John Rawls’ theory of justice. Rawls refers to the “Difference Principle” which states that a rational and aware human being, free from personal interests and affiliations, would choose a fair distribution of wealth and opportunities beyond the “Veil of Ignorance”. This serves as a rational basis for justifying unequal treatment in redistributing wealth and opportunities in favor of the weakest individuals.

In terms of historical evidence, positive discrimination officially and currently emerged after the civil rights movement of African Americans in America during the presidencies of Johnson and Nixon; although both presidents allowed this policy to remain hidden for a long time. President Lyndon Johnson in his famous speech at Harvard University in 1965 (later considered as the source for change in America without discrimination in terms of national and racial equality) addressed the issue of implementing positive discrimination in this way: “You cannot keep someone in chains for years and then set them free and tell them to start at the starting line (point zero) and expect them to have the freedom to compete with others, and in this way believe that you have fully observed justice and fairness.”

Positive discrimination policies in the United States have been controversial, with opponents labeling them as a form of “reverse discrimination.” However, these policies have continued to provide more opportunities for racial minorities to succeed in work and education, form a black bourgeoisie, and even have good political participation and reach the highest political positions. This was evident when Barack Obama was elected as President in 2009, becoming the first African-American to hold the highest position of power in America.

Another example of a country implementing affirmative action policies is India. In India, special supportive laws have been put in place for a class of people previously known as “untouchables” (Dalits). Through these laws, special quotas for employment, education, and facilities have been provided to enable their participation in public life like other citizens. As a result, their economic and social status has improved compared to the past, when they were marginalized and excluded from the progress in society enjoyed by the majority. In the past, they were considered impure and it was believed that contact with them required specific religious rituals to purify oneself. As a result, they were pushed to the fringes of society and were not able to benefit from the social, economic, and cultural advancements that other parts of society were experiencing. However, with the implementation of affirmative action policies, their situation has changed from being suppressed by negative discrimination in the past to being able to participate in all political and social matters like the majority of

Positive discrimination does not only belong to minorities; today, many countries use affirmative action policies in favor of women. A close example of this is Afghanistan and Pakistan, where a certain percentage of seats in their parliament are reserved for women (in Pakistan’s National Assembly, women hold 60 seats, which make up 17% of the total assembly). This reserved seat system in parliament allows women to have a presence, despite traditional patriarchal structures in society, and gives them a chance to compete with men in election campaigns, as there are seats specifically designated for them.

The application of positive discrimination in countries like Iran, considering the ruling political system and legal system, may seem like a fantasy at first glance. This is because positive discrimination is a product of a paradigm shift from a negative approach of prohibition of discrimination to a positive approach. However, Iranian society has not yet faced this shift. In other words, the Iranian legal system has not fully accepted the principle of non-discrimination and equality for all, let alone the transition from formal equality to real equality. This means that, until further notice, the people of Iran are not equal and women and minorities are deprived of many rights and opportunities that are enjoyed by the majority of men. But despite this negative view, if we can be a little more positive, we should consider a situation for marginalized women and minorities in which a neutral government, through consideration of privileges, support, and incentive programs, can involve them in various political, economic, and cultural arenas (similar to what exists in the country to support the families

Population policies and inflation rate

Posted on June 23, 2014July 10, 2024 by admin

The drum of examining the social situation of Iran these days is not silent and every moment a voice of opposition or support for it can be heard: On one hand, according to the opinions of Shia scholars, the policy of population control is considered a threat against the Shia world, and on the other hand, the lower classes of society, contrary to all religious propaganda, see population growth as a serious economic threat for themselves. But what is this policy of population control?

In a simple definition, population policies encompass a set of principles, measures, and documented decisions made by governments that determine the scope of government activities in relation to population issues (or issues that have population consequences); these policies, of course, have a direct relationship with increasing welfare and approaching modern standards of living.

One of the components that defines modernism is individualism. The transition from collectivism to the individual as the central element of human relationships.

In the modern era, when the bridge of courage was found in the book “The Courage To Be”, humans were called “the age of anxiety”. They can only overcome this anxiety through the expansion of individualism, which arises from differentiation. This differentiation is considered one of the most important components of modernity. It is natural that in order to be different, one must focus on “self” instead of “others”.

According to George Simmel, who is considered the first modern sociologist of modernity, “the transition from attention to others to the individual” manifests itself in events such as delayed marriage and a desire for non-traditional cohabitation outside of a large, traditional family structure, as well as a lack of desire for procreation (where a child is seen as another being in opposition to individuality of the mother).

From the other side, society witnessed a widespread change in the role of women during the modern era. Industrialization became a means for women to move from the kitchen to the platform of economic and social activity.

The presence of women in the outside environment of the home, separate from financial independence due to economic activities, made her realize her own “self to self”, a self that was not defined solely by her roles as a wife and mother; a definition and redefinition that ultimately led to what we referred to as the “individual” as the most central element of modern life, as the most central element of modern life.

The presence of women outside the home and their emergence as individuals and equals to men, themselves laid the groundwork for the expansion of literacy and acquisition of knowledge through educational institutions such as schools and universities. As a result of increased literacy and the subsequent internalization of egalitarian values (women = men), a redefinition of the family and societal structures took place, as described by Margaret Segallin in her book “Historical Sociology of the Family,” where collective balloons turned into small balloons in the hands of children. (3) However, these balloons were colorful and joyful, while the larger balloons, on the brink of modernism, became more dominant and internalized as defining factors in society. The modern society demanded a modern state, and the modern state was built upon a new definition of the individual.

This definition itself obligated the government to utilize its resources in support of honoring the individual. In this regard, the focus on the individual as the most essential element of society led governments to strive for reducing their responsibility towards individuals, and adopt population control policies. With the understanding that population control policies strengthened the economic and cultural arms of governments to provide more services to individuals, it was natural that in this equation, families with a smaller population received more government services than larger families.

Based on this principle, it is clear that major goals, which are usually pursued by population policies, are almost the same and widespread everywhere; including controlling population growth rate, which is a way to achieve a population with a size and growth rate proportional to the economic capabilities, regardless of whether it is experiencing growth or recession.

According to this criterion, one of the most rational components is the one that leads to socialization and turns this matter into a public culture. In fact, the most important factor in the success or failure of population policies is the appropriate policy-making for livelihood and economy.

Another factor that governments pursue in population policies is supporting children. The relationship between the number of children and the share that each child receives from parental support does not require much mathematical intelligence; in fact, the economic, social, cultural, and educational costs that governments are committed to providing for the under-age population have a direct correlation with the number of children in each family; with the clear explanation that the more births and consequently population growth, the higher the cost that the government has to fulfill its “minimum” obligations.

On the other hand, another factor that does not seem unrelated to the issue of population control is the support for the elderly; a population that, due to the increase in life expectancy in modern societies, is growing through improving quality of life and public health. They not only need government support, but also due to their increased vulnerability and transition from working age to retirement, they impose a heavy economic burden on the government. Therefore, with population control policies, the elderly will receive a larger share of government support.

History of Population Control and Birth Limitation Policies

The first time in 1341, population programs were seriously considered by the government officials. In 1343, the Maternal and Child Health Department was established in the Ministry of Health and the Family Guidance Charity Association, with the help of the International Population Fund, provided spermicide pills and other preventive measures to some government and non-governmental centers.

In late 1345, with the announcement of the opinions of experts from the Council of the Community settled in America, the following organizations and institutions were established:

The High Council of Health and Family Planning

The High Coordination Council with Government Agencies.

A new department under the name of Population and Family Planning Department has been established in the Ministry of Health.

With the determination of birth limits and its growth in the 1345 census, population control policies became openly and officially incorporated into the fourth and fifth development plans as one of the important programs of the government at the time.

In the year 1346, after the issuance of the Tehran Declaration which recognized family planning as a fundamental human right, population control programs were officially implemented. Approximately 20% of eligible women were covered by these services and the population growth of Iran underwent the following changes:

Population growth in the decade of 45-1335, which was about 3.2%, reached 2.6% in the decade of 55-1345 and as a result of implemented policies, it took a downward trend and the natural population growth decreased from 2.6% to 1.9%.

During the years 1356-1347 (the fourth and fifth plans before the revolution), approximately one billion tomans (equivalent to 150 million dollars at that time) were spent on family planning. In the sixth five-year development plan, around two billion tomans were allocated for this program. (Nearly four times the previous ten-year period) The rate of acceptance of visitors to centers had significantly decreased during the years 1356 to 1359.

Private sector activities in implementing the family planning program.

In the year 1337, the star of the commander of the United Nations, who had been the official expert for years, returned to Iran on a mission from the United Nations Council and established the Higher Academy of Social Services to provide the necessary human resources for implementing family planning programs in the country.

With the collaboration of Hajar Tarbiat, he established the “Iran Family Planning and Health Association” as a modern and public institution, which immediately became a member of the International Federation of Family Planning Associations and benefited from the extensive technical and financial assistance of this federation.

Family organization after the revolution

With the beginning of transformations caused by the revolution from early 1356 and the start of social and political changes, services underwent changes or were halted on a mass scale (such as the discontinuation of family planning programs, the closure of sterilization services in clinics that were flourishing before the revolution, and the transfer of family welfare centers and all their clinics to the country’s Welfare Organization).

Some of the most important actions that took place during and after the revolution can be mentioned, including:

The merger of the Ministry of Health and the Social Welfare Organization.

Closure of mobile units in rural areas and some family planning service providers.

Disruption of distribution of medications and pregnancy prevention tools.

Stop requesting the necessary clinical equipment by the centers.

The Department of Health and Family Planning, which until then had operated independently and had 215 staff and 5 main offices, and its program was implemented independently in clinics, was dissolved and 36 remaining employees were transferred to other departments (the family planning program was provided as part of health services and in conjunction with them). As a result of this new policy, the implementation of educational programs for the general public was suspended and the training of health workers and health assistants was practically stopped.

Among these, the officials’ theory of the Ministry of Health regarding the people’s opinions and their attempts to change them is considered the most important factor in the recession of family planning programs after the revolution.

On the other hand, in the summer of 1358 when only four months had passed since the revolution, Dr. Kazem Sami, the Minister of Health of the interim government, raised the issue of population growth during a meeting with Ayatollah Khomeini and emphasized the need to follow up on the family planning program.

A few months later, in early autumn, the Minister of Health, while submitting a detailed report on the problems of population growth, once again emphasized to Ayatollah Khomeini the necessity of continuing family planning programs and services.

Ayatollah Khomeini also wrote in the margins of the Minister of Health’s report: “The use of birth control methods for the purpose of reducing the population is permissible as long as it does not harm women’s health and their husbands agree with it, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the report.” This document was considered a fatwa by the authorities at the time and was communicated to all relevant departments of the ministry. However, he had previously addressed this issue in the third volume of his fatwas. (6)

Of course, this fatwa also had a historical basis; to the extent that even some scholars in different periods (such as Muhammad Hussein Tabatabai in volume two of the book “Al-Mizan” (7), Muhammad bin Hassan Har Ameli in “Wasail al-Shi’a” (8), Muhammad Hussein Hosseini Tehrani in “Risaleh-ye Nikahieh or Kahan-e Jam’iat Zarbe-ye Sehmegin bar Peykar-e Mosalmin” (9), and others) have considered any form of population control and limitation to be against the philosophy of Islam and the spirit of faith, and have opposed it. And it was considered unjust and against the principles of religion for governments to intervene in this matter. This belief of the Shia clergy was clearly expressed in the words of Ayatollah Khomeini. In his own words, he states: “They say that Iran has a population of 35 million. Its

In continuation of the efforts to change population policies, it was in the late 1990s that some people began to issue warnings against population growth in conferences, and the destructive effects of population growth on social, economic, cultural and health dimensions, including environmental degradation, increased need for educational and school spaces, social abnormalities, unemployment, etc. were reminded. According to the report of the Research Center of the Parliament, in 1989, a program called “National Family Planning Program” was prepared by the Organization of Planning and Budget and was approved by Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the Islamic Republic at that time.

The second decade after the revolution was almost parallel to the first and second five-year development plans of the country (1998-1989). Population control was given special priority in these two plans. The support of religious authorities gave legitimacy to the government’s family planning programs and this legitimacy provided a basis for other promotional and advertising activities, such as creating workshops for young couples, education through media, education in high schools and universities, etc.

In fact, from then on, not only were population reduction policies approved and honored, but the institutionalization of population reduction policies became a source of pride for the government and ruling authorities among Iranian families. These propaganda campaigns reached their peak when the President of the International Family Federation encouraged and supported the population control model in Iran in 1994, and developing countries were made aware of this successful model to follow.

Despite these factors and the tendency of Iranian families, especially young couples, towards single-child and self-controlled fertility, it seemed as if the matter had been suspiciously handed over to the government and authority, implying that these policies and pressures from above have caused this issue and now, by removing these pressures and eliminating subsidies for birth control pills and condoms, as well as banning tubectomy and vasectomy, the barrier of preventing pregnancy has been broken and the population has increased. However, the reality is that according to unofficial statistics collected by the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Tehran, more than 82% of the population, in response to the question of why they control fertility in their families, have attributed it to economic problems, unpredictable increases in living expenses, and the instability of the country’s economic situation. These shocking statistics have never been officially allowed to be published.

The official start of Iran’s fight against population control.

Population control policies were pursued until the end of the Reformist government, despite all the interventions of the Shia clergy. However, with the emergence of the ninth government and its fundamentalist approaches in various areas, revisions were made in these policies. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the then president in 2009, considered the “two children are enough” campaign as a conspiracy of colonialists and said, “With the rich resources we have in our country, we can feed up to three times the population.” He called for a change in these policies.

These remarks and statements by Ahmadinejad about population control, which had been criticized by many experts such as Masoud Pezeshkian, were later confirmed by the current leader of the Islamic Republic (who is considered a key figure in the structure of government in Iran). In a meeting with officials of the Islamic Republic system that took place two years ago in August, he explicitly stated: “This issue of increasing population and such matters are among important topics that all officials of the country – not just administrative officials – clerics, those who have pulpits, must educate the society about. We must move away from the current situation – one child, two children – and reach the number of one hundred and fifty million and two hundred million, as Imam [Khomeini] said and it is true, we must reach those numbers.”

Following this statement, the attack on population control policies intensified; to the point that many Shiite authorities such as Makarem Shirazi, Sabhani, Noori Hamedani, Kharrazi, Safi Golpayegani, and a few others considered these policies against Islam and Shiism and rejected them. This is because a significant number of authorities believe that the decrease in the Muslim population is a conspiracy of the enemy and is equivalent to the decrease in the power of the Islamic world, and as a result, population control policies were pushed aside as being political, Western, and anti-Islamic.

The issue was not only resolved by the opinions of men, but also women who considered themselves servants of authority and religion came forward, so that Sakena Nik, a professor at the seminary and university and director of the Hazrat Khadijah Scientific School, stated in an interview with the Rasa News Agency: “Population reduction policies are set based on political goals and Western globalization, and the population of developed countries is declining due to the collapse of family and the dominance of materialistic values, individualism and hedonism, and therefore Western countries, led by America, encourage population reduction for their own benefit.” She admitted that the Zionist regime is making every effort to sterilize the world’s population and is imposing this project on religious countries with all its might. On the other hand, they export genetically modified and sterilizing seeds to reduce the population of Islamic countries.

There is no shortage of so-called expert opinions that resemble this (that have become the norm in government discourse at gender policy-related conferences over the past year). However, according to statistics, what has thus far regulated family policies and led to a decrease or increase in offspring is not about the reproduction of the Muslim population or the 20 million-strong army, but rather the slope of inflation and recession. Now the question is whether this slope will be “gentle” or “steep”.

1- Tiliesh, Bridge, Bravery, Translation of Morad Farahadpour, Scientific-Cultural Publications, 1375, p. 188.

2- Guide, X, articles on interpretation in social science, translated by Shahnaz Moslemiparast, Joint Stock Publishing Company, 1386 pages 9-128

3- Saghalin, Martin, Historical Sociology of the Family, translated by Hamid Eliasi, p.58

4- To study about this topic, refer to: National Population and Family Planning Program, Handbook No. 1, Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education – Year 1381.

Family planning programs in the Islamic Republic of Iran, pp. 12-50.

Khomeini, Ruhollah; Resolutions, Vol. 3, p. 283

7- Tabatabaei, Mohammad Hossein, Al-Mizan, Vol. 2, Dar al-Kotob al-Islamiyah, 1370, p. 277

8- Al-Hurr al-Amili, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, Wasa’il al-Shi’a, Al al-Bayt Foundation: 1374, vol. 21, Rulings of Children, p. 356.

Hosseini Tehrani, Seyyed Mohammad Hossein, “The Marriage Treatise” or “The Impact of Population Reduction on the Muslim Community”, published by Allameh Tabatabai.

Issue 10 of the Women’s Message Newsletter, August 1378, Number 90, Report on the Cairo Conference.

11- The series of seminars on Islamic perspectives in medicine, which started in 1368 at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences and has since been held 5 times, is a prominent example of this claim. In the second session of this conference, held in Mashhad in 1380, civil Tabrizi, Makarem Shirazi, and Musavi Ardabili, in order, attacked the policy of population control, considering it against the standards of Shia and, of course, a serious threat to the Shia religion.

Guard

Posted on June 23, 2014 by admin

“Mazd ninety-three; Iron Fist Economy”

Posted on May 25, 2014July 10, 2024 by admin

President Hassan Rouhani’s government approved the first program related to the working and living conditions of Iranian workers while including a series of economic and livelihood slogans in its advertising campaigns to attract public attention. These programs, which initially seemed to present a brighter future for wage earners and were based on their real demands, were in contrast to the slogans of Ahmadinejad’s government. However, regardless of the level of these programs’ slogans and their alignment with the government’s economic team, it was predictable that strict programs would be implemented for the general public and especially for the working class, in order to align the Islamic Republic’s economy more closely with the programs of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. In late last year, the Supreme Labor Council announced a 25% increase in the minimum wage for workers in 2014, amounting to 680,000 tomans, while the latest inflation rate reported by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic was 36.7%.

Despite this, some economists, considering the overall changes and developments in the economy during Hassan Rouhani’s government, have not recognized this inflation rate as real and have warned against its rise. Hossein Raghefar is one of these economists who, by criticizing the current economic policy, has warned against a 40% inflation rate in 2014 and, considering the increase in energy carrier prices, says: “The effects of this price increase will directly affect household and economic costs; therefore, this price increase will definitely lead to inflation. In my opinion, the budget inflation for next year will be higher than this year and last year; inflation in the next year will be at least 40%.”

Fariborz Raeisi Dana, an economist, wrote on the verge of the year 1393 and in analyzing the current situation and predicting the economic status of workers in Rouhani’s government: “The Rouhani government in 1393 does not have practical policies that will shed light of hope on the homes of working classes, especially the bottom 60-70% and the destitute urban dwellers. Their situation will worsen, considering the expected minimum wage. The Rouhani government “can” pay up to 42,500 billion tomans in cash and non-cash subsidies, but it is not “obligated” to do so. Please note that if all 75 million Iranians receive subsidies, the amount in 1393 will be equivalent to 39,600 billion tomans, which is even less than the maximum predicted amount of 42,500 billion tomans. But the government must save up to 59,300 billion tomans in subsidies for bread

Do not be surprised that a new wave of price increases has been announced in the year ninety-three. The increase of over one hundred percent in the price of liquefied gas, one hundred percent increase in the price of white oil, twenty-five percent increase in the price of electricity, twenty percent increase in the price of water, and efforts to increase the price of gasoline are among the most important and fundamental price changes in the current year. As a result of these changes, urban transportation fares have also increased by twenty-five percent, and serious efforts have been made to increase the price of bread multiple times.

A government expert on labor issues regarding the possibility of an increase in bread prices says: “Considering the decrease in purchasing power of workers, if the price of bread changes, even though there is no alternative food item, we should expect a gradual decrease of bread from the tables of wage earners. If bread, like meat, fruits, and vegetables, is also removed from the tables of workers, there is no other item available to replace it.” (4)

In this regard, Jom Jom Sera magazine, a subsidiary of Jom Jom News Agency, has reviewed a wide range of consumer goods and food items in the new year, all of which have been subject to price increases.

The labor union writes in this regard: “Unfortunately, we witnessed last year that despite the official announcement of a 31.5% inflation rate, the Supreme Labor Council of the country approved a 25% increase in minimum wages and salaries for this year, which was a stab in the back for the working class community. This is because field research, market analysis, and gathering necessary information and statistics from official sources, as well as comparing the prices of goods and services and the cost of living for a working family compared to the same period last year, clearly showed a growth of over 50% and almost doubling of prices for these items compared to the declared inflation rate by the country’s official authorities.”

In 1992, the increase in wages was approximately 25%, and with a salary of 487,000 tomans, the purchasing power of wage earners did not exceed 117,000 tomans.

The minimum wage for the year 2013 was announced to be equivalent to 487,000 tomans, but calculating this minimum wage based on the purchasing power of the minimum wage in 2004 (calculating salaries at a fixed price based on the base year of 2004) shows that the purchasing power of this amount will be around 117,000 tomans. In simpler terms, during the years 2004 to 2013, the value of the national currency has decreased by one fourth, while the purchasing power of wage earners in 2013 has only increased by 11,000 tomans compared to 2004.

The Workers’ Union of the Tehran Unified Company, while protesting against the decisions made regarding the wages for the year 1993, states in their recent announcement: “According to official government statistics, the inflation rate in 2012 and 2013 has swallowed up more than seventy percent of the purchasing power of workers, laborers, and other wage earners. Meanwhile, the monster of inflation in 2014 will twist the standard of living of workers even more, as the increase in workers’ wages for 2014 is still 10-15 percent below the inflation line, meaning an increase in poverty and misery in the lives of workers.”

According to the estimates of many experts, considering the existence of extreme poverty line of over two million and five hundred thousand tomans in Tehran in 2013, with such extensive changes in price liberalization and movement towards creating transformations in cash subsidies, we cannot expect anything but poverty and economic oppression for the working class in Iran.

The Rouhani government will not only give the least opportunity to revive organizations and labor unions, but as expected, by appointing a security figure as the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, in the first few months of the government’s work, it has intensified the crackdown on labor and union activists. Contrary to the hypocritical slogans of moderation and dialogue, the minimum right to be heard for workers and their real representatives is not recognized, imprisoned workers are subject to new punishments, and organizers of strikes and protests have been arrested and threatened.

In addition to this, the approval of the 93rd year’s salary, which has taken into account the demands of capitalists and employers more than anything else, reveals the class nature of the government more than ever. The government of Hassan Rouhani and his economic team are seeking to carry out the most severe systematic suppression of the working class and to pave the way for the realization of neoliberal economic policies. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the 93rd year’s budget, we will witness an upward trend in cash assistance to security and military institutions. In fact, the government has not only fattened the private sector and the economic mafia, but has also strengthened the tools of suppression in order to complete the process of turning Iran into a laboratory for exploitative policies.

This year can be a special moment in the life of the working class; especially since efforts have begun to adjust and cut cash subsidies, causing increased anxiety in the daily lives of workers. The minimum wage of ninety-three and its ratio to inflation and the government’s harsh and ruthless policies can lead millions of families to extreme poverty and deprive them of their most basic rights. If we consider the year 2009 as a year of suppressing political and civil demands, the year ninety-three can be a year of an iron-fisted economy that has taken its toll on the bodies and souls of the oppressed and hardworking.

The salary and wages scale for the year 2014, Iran Employment, 14 March 2014.

2- Warning about 40% inflation in 1393 (2014), Jam Jam Online, 2 February 2014

3- In the year 93, workers started their blog in Iran, on February 14, 2014.

The living conditions of workers have become more serious with the increase in the price of bread, Sarnews, April 1, 2014.

The purchasing power of 117,000 tomans minimum wage in 2013, Khabar Online, February 11, 2013.

Economic violence against women.

Posted on May 25, 2014July 10, 2024 by admin

Violence against women is a topic that has attracted a lot of attention from audiences today. This violence refers to an action that results in physical, psychological, and social harm or may lead to it.

This issue of human society is not limited to geography, culture, race, or a specific segment of society, and it is seen in varying degrees and forms in every corner of the world. Perhaps it is possible to divide violence against women into four categories: physical violence, sexual violence, psychological and verbal violence, and economic violence, and each of these four types is also divided into two domains: personal (domestic or familial) and public (social and political).

Physical violence, such as hitting and beating, is easily observable and detectable due to its visible and external effects such as bruising, fractures, tears, etc.

Sexual violence refers to any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual advances or harassment, sexual exploitation or other sexual activities carried out against a person’s will, using force, by any individual regardless of their relationship with the victim, in any environment, including but not limited to the home and workplace. This can include various forms of abuse, forced marriages at a young age, sexual harassment, and so on.

Psychological and verbal violence has also drawn the attention of many activists and women’s rights advocates, as well as gender studies researchers, particularly in societies like Iran, during this time period. These forms of violence, which may not be easily visible, put a large number of women at risk of mental health issues on a daily basis.

As for the fourth category, which is economic violence, it may have received less attention in our country. Economic violence refers to actions that lead to the dependence and impoverishment of women, which has harmful effects on both the individual and society.

To become more familiar with this type of violence, we will discuss a few examples below:

Creating barriers to accessing job opportunities.

Creating an obstacle for continuing education.

Income and expenditure control for women and the threat of cutting it off.

Using debit cards and credit cards.

Payment of a small salary by the employer.

Considering women’s work at home as worthless.

Forcing to work outside of the house.

Forcing someone to do something they are not interested in.

Managing women’s finances and assets.

Receiving his salary by his wife or father.

Paying a small amount for the family’s livelihood and requesting to do a job or purchase a necessity that is not covered by the livelihood expenses.

Creating barriers to meeting his vital needs, including food, clothing, and medical needs.

Eliminating and damaging a woman’s favorite belongings.

The disposal of valuable items by women, such as gold, jewelry, or wedding gifts, or the act of selling a woman’s valuable possessions.

The woman’s unawareness of her husband’s salary and his lack of participation in family’s economic decisions.

And…

According to the fact that 70% of the world’s poor are women (1), this type of violence not only increases poverty among women, but also leaves significant psychological and emotional damage. Economic violence also contributes to the escalation of physical violence. For example, women who face financial limitations from their husbands in providing for their household and children, try their best to meet their children’s needs, which sometimes leads to domestic disputes and physical abuse.

Some of the factors that contribute to this type of violence include cultural and social factors, religious beliefs, legal discrimination in society, and so on.

Economic violence in our country is evident from the text of the law to our homes. According to the law, the man is considered the head of the family and this same law allows the man to prevent the woman from working outside the home or even continuing her education. Creating limitations in jobs based on gender, gendering university majors, and allocating job priorities to men are among the discriminations and economic violence present in the laws and economic policies of the government.

As a result of such laws, a large number of women are deprived of participating in the job market by their husbands. The absence of women in the job market not only hinders the economic development of the country, but also increases their dependence on men. This concern reaches its peak when we realize the bitter reality that many women in the country are even dependent on men for their basic survival and needs.

The existence of economic violence can create a platform for various forms of violence against women, and it can be said that this issue is more noticeable in low-income classes. However, this does not mean that this type of violence does not exist in higher income levels.

In meeting the needs of the family, even in procuring food and clothing, in situations where the woman does not have financial independence and is dependent on the man, it is the man’s desires and preferences that take priority. If the man’s wishes are not fulfilled, the woman may face demands or threats. In most cases, this can lead to the woman neglecting her own needs. For example, in a family where a specific budget is allocated for purchasing a certain fruit, assuming the price is the same for both the man and woman’s preferred fruit, it is always the man’s preference that is considered as the source of income. The purchase of clothing for the woman and children is also done with the permission and desire of the man, and if the man disagrees and does not allow it, the woman may face verbal or even physical violence.

It should be noted that economic dependence in the household is not only limited to the mentioned cases and also has other consequences.

When a woman does not have financial independence, despite unfavorable family conditions and sometimes even being a victim of domestic violence, she is forced to continue living and not leave her home. Because if she leaves, she will have no income to support herself and her children. Or, this type of violence can have opposite consequences and lead to women and girls fleeing their homes.

Economic violence is seen in low-income families in a different way and, for example, the lack of involvement of women in economic decision-making in the family can be mentioned. When a man spends a portion of his income without consulting his wife on non-essential matters outside the family, the woman is not allowed to object or, if she does, she is met with a violent reaction from the man.

One aspect of economic violence is preventing men from allowing women to participate in sports, arts, or any social activity that promotes the development of women’s talents. Taking control of insurance costs or service fees that the government provides for women, or forcing women to obtain government financial facilities through deception, are other examples of this type of violence.

It should be noted that economic violence sometimes creates the conditions for sexual violence to occur as well.

Sexual exploitation of women, sex trafficking, early marriage, and so on are all consequences of poverty and economic violence. Sexual harassment in the workplace, women’s silence and submission to this sexual abuse, and commercial use of their bodies are also among the consequences of this violence imposed on women by society and the family.

Experiencing depression, stress, dependency on chemical drugs, attempted suicide, maternal mortality, risk of HIV infection, risk of unsafe abortion, pregnancy complications, and so on can also be considered as side effects of this type of violence.

Violence against women, in any form, not only leaves lasting effects on their physical and mental well-being, but also causes harm to the individual and society economically.

Unfortunately, providing solutions in a situation where the government and ruling system of the country daily place obstacles in the way of women can be difficult and perhaps even impossible. However, in order to achieve equality and safety, in addition to the extensive efforts of activists and advocates, it is necessary for the government to cooperate in eliminating discriminatory laws and establishing fair laws.

A report on the UN WOMEN website and Carly Fiorina’s report on the program “this week” on ABC network on January 12, 2014.

The right to health and its implementation mechanisms

Posted on May 25, 2014July 10, 2024 by admin

Identification of the Right to Health in International Law.

Health, well-being, or hygiene are synonymous concepts in the Persian language (equivalent to English: Health) which are considered fundamental rights for every human being in contemporary human rights systems. The right to health is derived from Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is linked to the right to social security: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”

If we build upon the tradition of Carl Vasak and include every right in one of the three generations of human rights, the right to health falls under the second generation, which includes economic, social, and cultural rights. Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights states: “The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health” (paragraph 1) and in paragraph 2, it outlines the actions that states must take to fully realize the right to health.

In addition to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1984) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), other human rights documents have also recognized and supported the right to health; Article 5 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965) obligates member states to ensure the right of every individual to public health, medical care, social security, and social services. Article 12 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979) requires member states to take appropriate measures to ensure equal access for women and men to health care services. Article 23 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) guarantees every child the right to a standard of living adequate for their physical, mental, and social development, and the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. Article 25 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes that member states must recognize

In addition, important regional documents such as Article 26 of the American Convention on Human Rights (1978), Article 16 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1981), Article 11 of the European Social Charter (1961), and Article 17 of the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam (1990), as well as numerous other cases, have also supported the right to health.

Content of the right to health.

It is necessary to clarify what health or hygiene is, which has become one of the fundamental human rights. In the preamble of the World Health Organization’s constitution, it is stated: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being, without distinction of race, religion, political beliefs, economic or social conditions.”

The right to health, in addition to the general mention, includes the following tangible and broader rights:

The right to access a health-centered system; a system in which everyone has equal opportunities to access the highest achievable standard of health in all its aspects.

The right to prevention and control of diseases.

Right to access essential medicines.

The right to benefit from reproductive health, as well as the health of childhood and motherhood.

Continuous and equal access to primary healthcare facilities.

Providing accessible health information and education for everyone.

Public participation in the process of making health-centered decisions at local and national levels.

Providing equal access to healthcare facilities, goods, and services for everyone.

Being present, accessible, and of acceptable quality for all facilities, goods, and services. In other words, these should be accessible to everyone in a tangible and financial manner, taking into account the geographical distribution of the population and the specific conditions of remote areas, including children, adolescents, people with disabilities, women, refugees, migrants, and other vulnerable groups, both in terms of quality and quantity.

Facilities, goods, and services provided should be in line with scientific and medical standards, have a desirable quality, and this especially requires training for medical staff, the presence of approved hospital and medical equipment, and an adequate supply of medication.

Government commitments.

In guaranteeing the right to health.

Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights states: “The measures that the States Parties to this Covenant shall take to ensure the full realization of this right shall include the necessary steps for the following matters:

Reducing infant mortality – the death and healthy growth of children.

Improving environmental and industrial hygiene from all aspects.

Prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, endemic and other diseases, as well as efforts to combat these diseases.

To create suitable conditions for providing medical services and assistance to the general public in case of illness.

One of the duties of the government is to provide goods, services, facilities, and healthcare with appropriate quality for everyone; from this perspective:

Goods, services, and facilities must be available in tangible and financial form for all segments of the population, including children, adolescents, the elderly, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, on an equal basis, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Availability also includes the right to search, obtain, and express health-related information accessible to all; including individuals with disabilities. However, this right does not violate the right to have personal health information obtained confidentially during the treatment period.

Finally, it is necessary for the mentioned facilities, goods, and services to be in line with scientific and medical standards and have good quality. This requires, in particular, the following: providing training to healthcare and medical staff, having up-to-date and scientifically approved hospital and medical equipment, clean drinking water, and a proper sewage system, among others.

The role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in supporting the right to health.

The World Health Organization is one of the specialized agencies affiliated with the United Nations, whose main goal is to achieve the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for every human being, without discrimination based on race, religion, political beliefs, economic or social conditions. The United Nations’ focus on health is due to its impact on global peace and security, which can be maintained through international cooperation between governments and individuals.

In support of this overall goal, this organization has taken on a wide range of responsibilities, including the following:

Activity as a leading and coordinating role in international health matters.

Strengthening technical collaborations.

Assisting governments (upon request from countries) in strengthening healthcare services.

Organizing appropriate technical cooperation and providing necessary assistance in times of emergency and crises, based on the requests or acceptance of governments.

Promoting developed standards in educational and training fields related to health, hygiene, medicine, and other related areas.

The World Health Organization currently has 193 member countries, with its headquarters located in Geneva. The member countries are divided into six geographical regions, each with separate offices. The division of offices in the six regions is as follows:

AFRO Regional Office.

Regional Office for American countries AMRO.

Regional Office for Eastern Mediterranean countries EMRO.

EURO Regional Book of European Countries.

SEARO Regional Office for Southeast Asian Countries.

WPRO Regional Office for Western Pacific Countries.

Iran, along with 22 other Muslim countries, is located in the Eastern Mediterranean region with its center in Cairo. In addition, the World Health Organization has representative offices in most countries, including Iran, which has had a permanent office since 1363. The World Health Organization has collaborated with Iran through the Ministry of Health in a joint program called JPRM in various areas such as disease control and care, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, malaria, polio eradication, mental health, substance abuse, reducing pregnancy risks, crisis preparedness, and humanitarian cooperation.

Iran and the challenges of healthcare rights.

According to reports published by the World Health Organization in 2013, Iran ranks tenth in greenhouse gas emissions, fifth in the highest number of road accidents resulting in death, third in air pollution, and ninety-third in health systems in the world. These are just a small portion of the statistics studied about Iran that have lowered its ranking in terms of health. If we also consider the impact of international sanctions, shortages of medicine and medical equipment, and other unique issues such as the harmful effects of satellite parasites, we will realize that the health situation of Iranian citizens has reached a concerning level and is now at an alarming state.

The right to health is closely linked to other fundamental rights and freedoms, as the realization or lack thereof of one right can affect the others. Therefore, violating or neglecting the right to health prevents citizens from fully exercising their rights and freedoms; even the right to life, which is considered a fundamental and superior right to all other human rights, is often seriously compromised, leaving modern citizens, who are advocates of freedom and human rights, longing for a comfortable breath. Other rights are pushed aside.

An overview of the situation of the healthcare and pharmaceutical system in Iran.

Posted on May 25, 2014July 10, 2024 by admin

One of the indicators of sustainable development in a country that has a direct relationship with human rights and citizenship is the field of health and hygiene. Today, with the growth of population and medical advancements, providing medical services requires having expertise in the human field and access to advanced equipment that meets the needs of society. What is always of concern to governments and people is to train specialized forces in the field of health and provide hardware and software facilities in the field of health to maintain health and medical standards in society as much as possible. In this regard, one of the most basic questions that every Iranian asks is whether the medical facilities in the field of health in the country are in line with the needs of society? And are the claims of officials regarding medical and health advancements in line with reality?

According to statistical analysis, as stated by Masoud Falahi, Deputy Director of Nursing at the Ministry of Health, there are currently 900 active hospitals and 250,000 nurses in the country. He also mentioned that there are 82 nursing and midwifery schools affiliated with medical universities and health care centers, with a total of 160 nursing training centers in the country.

According to the statistics provided by the Statistical Center of Iran, the total number of hospital beds in both private and government sectors in our country is 120,000, which means there are approximately 160 beds for every 100,000 people, or one bed for every 625 people. For every hospital bed, there are also 7.5 nurses in the country.

On the other hand, the percentage of cesarean sections in government hospitals is around 50 to 55 percent and in private hospitals it is around 100 percent, which is one of the worst indicators globally. The unemployment rate of midwives in the country is also more than 70 percent. Additionally, the consumption of antibiotics in the country is about three times the global average and some doctors prescribe medication excessively, with the average drug consumption in the country being twice the global average.

According to the unpublished report of the former Minister of Welfare, Engineer Mahsouli, about 70% of the money received by doctors from patients outside of their salary is received by surgeons. The Tansim News Agency also writes: Based on comparative studies, Iranian specialist doctors earn more than $418,000 annually; meaning the highest-earning medical specialists in the world are in Iran, which is surprising considering the average income of an Iranian.

The negative trend and deficiencies in the healthcare sector in Iran are increasing significantly as we move away from the central areas. The more deprived areas are, the more noticeable and severe these deficiencies become, and this has always been a concern for rural areas. For example, the representative of Jiroft and Amberabad in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, in an interview with the Aftab News Agency, criticized the shortage of specialist doctors in his constituency and called for the government to pay more attention to the deficiencies in these areas. Ms. Shahrazad Mohammadi, the deputy director of health in Amol County, expressed concern about the state of equipment and specialized personnel in the healthcare sector in her conversation with Khat-e-Solh. Ms. Niousha Alimohammadi, the head of the colonoscopy department at the Tehran Digestive Center, also emphasizes that the shortage of personnel and equipment in hospitals has become a normal and daily problem, and although this issue is less

According to today’s Tehran newspaper, the lack of female sonographers in the cities of Iran Shahr, Sarbaz, Mehrastan, Nik Shahr, Nehbandan, Qasr-e Qand, Kanar, and Mirjaveh has caused numerous problems for the people in these areas, especially women. These women, due to traditional and cultural restrictions, may not go to a male sonographer or doctor, and as a result, they either do not take their illnesses seriously or have to travel long distances to reach a city center where they can be seen by a female doctor.

International sanctions have caused serious problems for the country in the field of pharmaceutical production, especially for drugs related to specific diseases. On one hand, the absence of reputable international manufacturers has led to the exploitation and rent-seeking of certain actors, while on the other hand, it has resulted in the entry of non-standard and sometimes counterfeit drugs and equipment into the country, mostly produced by countries like India and China. This has greatly endangered the health of the people.

Based on these statistical cases that are just a drop in the sea of medical and health problems in Iran, it seems that despite government promises and statistics, the country is far behind global average standards in terms of the health and hygiene of its citizens.

Weak presence of Iran in the World Health Organization program.

Posted on May 25, 2014July 10, 2024 by admin

Every year, on the 18th of Farvardin (April 7th), World Health Day is celebrated. On this occasion, the World Health Organization (WHO) presents and implements programs in collaboration with governments of different countries to improve the health of people around the world.

We search for Persian health websites, including the website of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran, the website of the World Health Organization’s representative office in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also the English website of this representative office, which unfortunately shows no sign of Iran’s participation in the World Health Organization’s 2014 plan.

On the website of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, only a statement by Ayatollah Khamenei titled “General Health Policies” was published on World Health Day, April 18, in which there was no mention of the World Health Organization’s plan and more emphasis was placed on “recognizing, explaining, promoting, developing and institutionalizing traditional Iranian medicine.” It seems that in this section as well, the policy of the Islamic Republic for self-sufficiency and return to traditional medicine is being pursued without considering the plans of the World Health Organization.

On the website of the World Health Organization’s representative office in Iran, there is no updated news or educational material in Persian regarding this matter or the implementation of this program in Iran. All of the information is from previous years and there is only a headline titled “World Health Day 2014: Small creatures, big threats” which, when clicked, leads to the main website of the World Health Organization and its educational programs and objectives in English. Therefore, in this article, we will provide a detailed translation of these educational programs in Persian for our dear compatriots.

World Health Day 2014, “Small bite, big threat”.

The World Health Organization has dedicated this year’s World Health Day to raising awareness about vector-borne diseases (VBDs) and specifically “dengue fever”; a viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes that affects approximately one hundred million people every year.

Approximately half of the world’s population is at risk of contracting vector-borne diseases (VBD), which annually kills 17% of those affected, meaning more than one million people; despite the fact that these diseases are preventable and treatable. This year’s World Health Day program is dedicated to controlling and preventing these diseases, which is a long-term plan that extends until 2020.

Key Messages of World Health Day.

A) Small insects such as flies, mosquitoes, ticks, and freshwater snails can be carriers of dangerous diseases for you and your family, often transmitting viruses with just one bite and potentially causing death.

B) Diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, leishmaniasis, yellow fever, and African trypanosomiasis are preventable, but still have the greatest impact on some of the poorest people in the world.

More than half of the world’s population is at risk of contracting these diseases, which increases with travel.

D) You can protect yourself and your family by taking a few simple steps during travels and in suspicious areas, such as sleeping under a mosquito net, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, using insect repellents.

The World Health Organization has taken action to publish materials, posters, charts, and educational photos about diseases transmitted by small carriers. It is expected that health officials in Iran will translate and widely distribute these materials throughout the country by visiting the organization’s website. They are also expected to create educational programs on radio and television to raise awareness among the public and fulfill their duties.

Dengue fever disease is on its way to Iran.

The Deputy Director of the Center for Communicable Diseases Management at the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education says: “It is possible that dengue fever will enter the country in the coming years.” Dr. Mahmoud Nabavi, in an interview with IRNA on April 8th, added: “Cases of this disease have been seen in travelers outside the country, but it has not yet entered the country.” He has pointed out that since dengue fever exists in Pakistan, it is possible for it to enter Iran from that country.

He also mentioned the disease of hemorrhagic fever in Congo and said, “The number of cases of this disease is low, with only 200 cases per year, but the mortality rate is significant.”

What is Tab Dangi?

One of the most common diseases shared between humans and animals that is transmitted in this way is Dengue Fever.

Dengue fever has been recognized with various names, including Deng fever, Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Dengue syndrome, Bone-breaking fever, Swahili Dengue fever, Philippine, Korean, Thai or Singapore hemorrhagic fever, Seven-day fever, Dengro and Dengue fever. Dengue is a Spanish word derived from “Swahili Ki denga pepo” and was used to describe individuals who experience muscle cramps in this type of disease. The word Dengue in Spanish also means “charm and charm”, referring to the way people affected by this disease walk due to joint pain and discomfort.

In general, dengue fever is a type of hemorrhagic fever belonging to the family of viral hemorrhagic fevers transmitted by arthropods (such as ticks, mosquitoes, flies, etc.) that challenges humans with mild to severe fever, shock, and ultimately death.

According to the classification of the World Health Organization, dengue fever is divided into four grades.

Grade 1: Includes a decrease in blood platelets.

Grade Two: Spontaneous Bleeding.

Grade Three: Decrease in blood pressure.

Grade Four: Shock.

In this classification, grades one and two, which are milder, are called Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and grades three and four, which are more severe, are called Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS).

Transportation methods.

The dengue virus, also known as DEN, belongs to the Flaviviridae family and the Flavivirus genus. Its genetic material is RNA and it has 4 types from 1 to 4. The virus is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito, also known as the “Asian tiger mosquito,” is now found worldwide and breeds in humid areas and places such as water-filled containers, old tires, and stored items. It prefers small, clean water sources for reproduction. The mosquito’s breeding sites can be created by humans, such as in Thailand where water is stored in clay pots inside or around homes. Water in flower pots, small puddles, coconut shells, tin cans, etc. can also serve as suitable breeding sites for the mosquito. The mosquito eggs are resistant to dryness and are laid on the surface of water in containers. They remain inactive until the start of the monsoon rains

Prevention.

The best and most practical way of prevention is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. This can be achieved by following safety and hygiene principles when traveling to high-risk areas. As mentioned, the disease has become endemic in 112 countries around the world, with the main focus being in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. Travelers to these areas must cooperate with local health officials and take precautions to prevent being bitten by Aedes mosquitoes. This is especially important for a country like Iran, where there is limited awareness about disease-carrying mosquitoes, and other factors such as not taking mosquito bites seriously and frequent spring and summer trips to the mentioned countries. The fight against mosquitoes, which is on the agenda of affected countries, must be taken more seriously. Eliminating breeding sites and reproduction of mosquitoes, such as water holes, is the best way to directly combat them. Additionally, spraying affected areas with insecticides is a viable solution for direct combat against mosquitoes. Indirectly,

According to the report of the Pasteur Institute of Iran, the Egyptian species of mosquito, which is the main carrier of the disease, has not been observed in Iran, but other species exist in Iran. The Egyptian species of mosquito is abundant in neighboring countries such as Pakistan, which greatly increases the risk of the disease spreading to Iran. Understanding this danger is evident in the fact that Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) was first transmitted from the soil of Pakistan and Afghanistan to Iran over a decade ago, and now with the virus becoming endemic, the disease has spread in Iran.

1- Educational booklet of the World Health Organization on dengue fever, the media center of the World Health Organization.

Second generation of human rights and social entrepreneurship

Posted on May 25, 2014July 10, 2024 by admin

The first generation of human rights includes civil and political rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and the right to vote, while the second generation of human rights encompasses social and economic rights such as the right to housing, the right to work, and the right to health. Articles 3 to 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights cover the first generation of human rights or negative rights, and articles 22 to 27 include the second generation of human rights or positive rights.

The first generation of human rights, or negative rights (rights that prohibit the government from violating the rights of citizens), is derived from the standards and values found in the constitutions of Western European countries, especially the first 10 amendments of the US Constitution. The second generation of human rights, or positive rights (as the government is obligated to provide for the welfare of all), is derived from the constitution of the former Soviet Union. In countries like the US, the weight of laws leans towards the first generation, while in some countries, the laws heavily favor the second generation of human rights. The right to health, which is rooted in the second generation of human rights, is highly valued in today’s world. The right to physical, mental, and social well-being is an integral part of human rights. Health is necessary for accessing and enjoying other human rights. For this reason, the right to health is recognized in all human rights charters.

In the preamble of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) constitution, the right of every person to access the highest attainable level of health is recognized. In Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the term “highest attainable level of health” is not mentioned, but it is emphasized that every individual has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and their family, including food, clothing, housing, medical care, and necessary social services. It is also emphasized that every person has the right to social security in situations such as unemployment, illness, disability, old age, or any other circumstances where they have lost their means of livelihood due to factors beyond their control.

The right to health is one of the most comprehensive concepts in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; according to paragraph 2 of this article, member countries of this agreement are committed to preventing and treating communicable, indigenous, occupational and other diseases, as well as fighting against these diseases and creating suitable conditions for providing medical services and assistance to the public in case of illness.

According to human rights publications, governments are primarily responsible for the health of their citizens. These responsibilities include preventive services, screening, and providing essential medicines and treatment for diseases. However, for various reasons, governments are not always able to guarantee the health of individuals in society as accepted and approved in international agreements. In such circumstances, citizens in society, as one of their civic responsibilities in modern society, take action and start their activities in the field of social action, and non-governmental human rights organizations and charities begin their work in this area.

Welfare and charity institutions are organizations that provide services to the citizens of a community without any economic profit motive, solely for the purpose of improving the well-being of the society. Inside and outside of Iran, various institutions and foundations are dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of their fellow citizens, utilizing their abilities and capacities to improve the situation of Iranians. This type of valuable and new activity can be very beneficial, especially considering the challenges faced by the Iranian society outside of Iran. In order to fulfill their role in human rights, it is necessary for civic entrepreneurs to establish institutions that address the needs of the society and work towards increasing the well-being of Iranians through creativity. This type of activity has been increasingly seen among the Iranian community in recent years and is a sign of the necessary learning for the improvement of the health and well-being of Iranians.

Let’s take a look at some of the social issues of the Iranian community in America. According to what has been said and considering the statistics from the US Census Bureau and vital statistics of the United States, it seems that in the current conditions, the Iranian community outside of Iran needs more than ever to unite and help each other. Some statistics related to the conditions of the Iranian community residing in America are very concerning. The statistics show that more than 7.5% of Iranians living in America do not have health insurance. Iranian residents in America face obstacles such as language, income, gender, cultural differences, lack of health insurance, and lack of understanding of Iranian family structures in order to receive medical care. Additionally, 7% of Iranians living in America are not able to have even basic conversations in English and are essentially unable to access public health services.

The civil society of Iran has had significant advancements in the field of human rights and the first generation of human rights, and social networks have been created to promote human rights. However, considering the indivisibility of human rights, it is certain that the responsibility of human rights activists is not limited to the first generation of human rights. The function of human rights activists is to put pressure on those in power, impose costs on policymakers, and expose the violations of human rights against individuals. Human rights activists must also be active in the second generation of human rights and consider the destructive and negative role of violating social, economic, and cultural rights. The duty of human rights activists is to convey the voices of the oppressed and deprived to the general public and remind policymakers of their duties. An important layer of activity is the establishment of institutions outside the private and government sectors. This civil sector is made up of forces who work creatively and entrepreneurially to organize society. Social entrepreneurship is the use of the creativity and initiative

In recent years, the issue of citizenship rights has become a hot topic in the field of human rights. The discussion of citizenship rights is still centered around negative rights or first-generation human rights, which have a limited definition. Human rights activism in the field of citizenship is an effort to establish institutions and organize forces to promote the rights outlined in Articles 22-27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The focus of human rights discussions in Iranian society is on first-generation human rights and negative rights.

Hope is that in the coming years, intellectuals and creative forces of Iranian society will join hands and, based on the indivisibility of human rights, engage in discussions and practical efforts to promote second-generation human rights, including the right to health and well-being, in service of their fellow human beings.

The need of children for access to health and medical services.

Posted on May 25, 2014July 10, 2024 by admin

There is no Farsi text provided to translate. Please provide the text to be translated.
A school in one of the villages of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province that lacks basic facilities such as electricity, water, heating system, and suitable educational space.

World Health Day slogan (April 7th): This year, increased protection against diseases transmitted by insects is crucial. These diseases are more prevalent in warm and humid regions. Among them, malaria is the most well-known for Iranians. In the religious book Avesta, fever and chills are mentioned, and the terms “typhoid fever”, “intermittent fever”, and “chills” are repeatedly mentioned in the books Canon of Medicine by Ibn Sina and Zakhireh Khwarazmshahi. This disease is transmitted by a mosquito called “Anopheles” from an infected person to a healthy person.

In the past, malaria was widespread in Iran and was considered a terrifying disease in terms of casualties. According to some reports in 1303, when the population of Iran was around 13 million, between 4 to 5 million Iranians were infected with malaria and out of every 10 deaths, 4 people died due to malaria. Currently, malaria has been almost eradicated in most parts of the country and is only limited to the southern regions of Kerman province and Sistan and Baluchestan and Hormozgan provinces. The World Health Organization’s focus this year is on the poor countries of Africa where vector-borne diseases are still widespread and deadly.

In Iran, World Health Day is officially recognized and, in addition, to draw more attention to health issues and at the suggestion of the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, in 2002, an official event called Health Week (April 18-24) was approved by the Public Culture Council and this event was added to the country’s calendar in 2003. However, in Iran, the slogan and priorities are different. This year’s slogan for Health Week is “A Lifetime of Health with Self-Care”. According to the Ministry of Health’s directive, due to the Nowruz holiday and limited time for planning and implementation, this year’s Health Week will start a little later, from the first of Ordibehesht month.

The name of the first day of Health Week this year is “Empowering Youth and Adolescents for Self-Care”. Holding speeches, painting and essay writing competitions about health are among the programs of this week in schools across the country. The Ministry of Education has also asked students to participate in the “President’s Health Question” competition through an announcement. The President’s question is: “What can we do to keep our bodies healthy and resilient?”

Prevention of diseases is more effective and beneficial during childhood and adolescence. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the right for children to have access to healthcare services, as childhood is the foundation for physical, mental, emotional, and social growth. Additionally, children are vulnerable due to their age and this vulnerability requires appropriate laws and necessary support and care to ensure their physical and mental well-being. It is also important to recognize that children not only differ from adults in terms of quantity, but also in terms of quality, as they have their own desires, needs, and unique characteristics. Therefore, from a legal standpoint, they require specific and different laws from adults.

In Article 24 of the Children’s Rights Agreement, entitled “Health Services”, we read: “Children have the right to the highest level of health and medical services. Governments must pay special attention to the expansion and provision of universal health care, as well as health education.” Health services take precedence over medical services. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as follows: “Health is the science and art of preventing diseases and prolonging life and promoting health through social efforts.”

Investment of countries in health and education of students is not an expense, but rather a highly profitable and foundational investment. After the family institution, school is the most important institution for the upbringing and care of children. Children spend most of their time in school, besides their home. In Iran, children between the ages of 6 and 17 are in the age of education. What rights do these children have in terms of health and how much attention is paid to their health rights?

“متن فارسی را به انگلیسی ترجمه کنید”

“Translate the Farsi text to English”
A school in one of the villages in East Azerbaijan province that has been built in a container.

According to existing regulations and rules, education and training should take place in a safe and hygienic environment, while considering factors such as classroom capacity, lighting, ventilation, temperature, noise, safety facilities, prevention and response equipment, cleanliness, waste collection and disposal system, sanitary services, clean air, healthy drinking water, etc. in schools. These are the individual and social rights of children.

Iranian schools are not equal in terms of adhering to these factors in similar conditions and situations. In urban schools, the density of students in the classroom is usually high, and rural schools face serious problems with their heating and cooling systems. In some areas, such as the province of Khuzestan, a number of schools are deprived of access to safe drinking water. In Tehran and most major cities, air pollution threatens the health of children. The facilities for dealing with emergencies in schools are very weak, and most importantly, according to officials’ statements, about 30% of schools have non-resistant structures and are highly vulnerable to disasters such as earthquakes.

In the regulations of school environmental health, health and safety standards have been carefully considered, but in practice, the level of safety and hygiene in many schools is much lower than the regulations. Factors such as proximity to pollution-generating facilities such as industrial factories, chemical plants, livestock farms, and poultry farms, railways and highways (due to noise pollution), land and building density, provision of green spaces, creation of sports fields and sanitary spaces, limitation of floors, floor coverings, staircase conditions, sufficient lighting, wall and board colors, and placement of boards are among the essential standards for schools.

According to regulations, in villages that have piped water, the school must be connected to the village’s water network. In schools that do not have access to piped water or face water shortages, installation of a sanitary water source, storage of drinking water, and other sanitary uses are necessary for each student, with a minimum of 15 liters per day, while adhering to regulations. The students’ public drinking fountain must be equipped with a water cooler and at least one drinking faucet should be provided for every 45 students. The drinking fountain must be located outside of the sanitary facilities, with a minimum distance of 15 meters and following sanitary conditions. The number of toilets in the school should be one toilet for every 40 students and one urinal for every 60 students. The use of liquid soap in the toilets is necessary, and it is preferable to use a fixed liquid soap dispenser and piping on the toilets.

In the regulations, it is emphasized that ergonomic standards (physical relations of the body) for students should be in accordance with the standards and regulations for different levels of education. While in schools, students in all levels of education should sit for hours on wooden benches with a width of 20 to 25 centimeters and without back support. The uncomfortable sitting position has a negative effect on children’s learning. In addition, it can lead to skeletal abnormalities.

A health coach is expected to be present in schools to implement and monitor safety and hygiene measures. Personal hygiene education for students, their parents and colleagues, providing first aid in necessary situations, and maintaining the hygiene and safety of the school environment are all part of the responsibilities of the health coach. The health coach also conducts examinations and screenings for students during registration and the issuance of health certificates, refers patients to medical centers, monitors the nutrition of students, oversees the hygiene of the school cafeteria, and implements health programs in schools, among other duties.

All students are insured against accidents at school and on trips, and the insurance fee is collected from parents upon registration. The insurance fee for the 92-93 academic year was 3,000 tomans for each student. However, neither the school nor the parents take this insurance seriously. The coverage of this insurance for medical expenses, disability, and death is low.

According to regulations, for every 750 students, there should be a full-time health coach present in the school. However, currently, out of approximately 100,000 schools in the country, only 5,700 health coaches are actively working. Two-thirds of our schools are completely deprived of having a health coach. The need for health coaches is greater in elementary schools. The Ministry of Education is not able to hire the necessary number of health coaches due to financial reasons and lack of funding. Meanwhile, according to officials of this ministry, there is a surplus of 58,000 to 100,000 health coaches.