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Mohammad Mohabbi

The increase in prices of essential goods in Iran in 1397 (2018-2019), had a very rapid and severe trend. As the prices of goods related to people’s nutrition also had a noticeable increase, day by day, people’s tables are getting smaller and some goods such as meat, nuts, and certain fruits, which are essential for human bodies, are on the verge of being eliminated from the food basket of many Iranians due to astronomical prices.

In a way, it can be said that food security is a major concern for a large portion of the population in Iran and is on the verge of serious danger. Food security, the right to access food, and being free from malnutrition and hunger are among the fundamental human rights and are not subject to suspension even in times of conflict. Therefore, various approaches such as the right to food and food security have been adopted to address this problem (malnutrition) during times of conflict and peace. Currently, based on human dignity and the right to food, international human rights documents impose multiple obligations on member countries to ensure food security, and various mechanisms have been put in place to address violations and compensate those affected. This approach has been so humanistic in international human rights documents that the use of starvation as a weapon, destruction or rendering of property unusable for the survival of non-combatant populations, and obstruction of access to humanitarian aid in armed conflicts – especially international conflicts – are considered war crimes

In numerous human rights conventions and international declarations, the right to food has been extensively mentioned. This includes Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognize this right to access adequate standards. If environmental issues in Iran and drought crises are not resolved, the future of food for many Iranians will be at risk. On the other hand, nutrition in a polluted, degraded, unhealthy and unsanitary environment will contradict what is stipulated in these human rights documents. Therefore, the right to a healthy environment will guarantee the right to food, and the requirements of the right to food also sometimes necessitate a healthy environment. Climate change, through reducing access to food, desertification, and decreasing crop and livestock production, the loss of agricultural land due to unforeseen events, and the impact on weather patterns, have led to the depletion of food reserves and the use and consumption of food.

Usually in international documents, food security consists of several subsystems, such as production, storage and distribution, supply, and ultimately consumption. By looking at the amount of imports of various products to the country and also examining the statistics available in the agricultural sector – as the main sector responsible for achieving food security in the country – examining the level of employment, inflation rate, climatic and environmental conditions, etc. all of which are among the influential parameters in measuring the food security of a country, economic access to food or food security in Iran has become increasingly difficult year by year. (3)

Shortage or lack of food and severe hunger, whether caused by natural reasons or as a result of direct human intervention such as civil and international wars, or due to incorrect government policies, has devastating consequences. During times of famine, not only do large groups of people suffer and even die in a pitiful manner, but many individuals also exhibit abnormal behavior as a result. People on the brink of death from hunger resort to theft and hoarding of food, and even sell their own children to obtain money for food. In this regard, there are many shocking accounts and quotes about the great famine in Iran during World War I, to the extent that some historians believe that one-third of the population of Iran lost their lives during that famine.

A few days ago, two representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly announced that food security is critical in 4 provinces of the country and 75% of the people in Sistan and Baluchestan are suffering from food poverty. Mohammad Na’im Aminifar, a representative of the city of Khash in Sistan and Baluchestan province, said: “In these four provinces, Sistan and Baluchestan ranks first and then Hormozgan, Bushehr and South Khorasan have ranked second to fourth.” He further stated that: “Sistan and Baluchestan province ranks low in terms of development indicators and Gini coefficient and unfortunately, due to lack of wealth and a 18-year drought, food security has been seriously affected in this province. This has led people in villages to be pushed to the outskirts of cities such as Zahedan, Zabol and Chabahar and factors related to food security have deteriorated.” According to him

Food security is achieved when poor and vulnerable individuals, especially women and children, have access to the amount of food they need. In fact, food security is realized when the consumer has the ability to purchase the necessary food. This means that while sufficient supply of food is a necessary condition, it is not sufficient and households must be able to purchase and consume food. Therefore, as long as there is no fundamental change in the country’s economy and the situation of people’s businesses, and various segments of society do not have the necessary income to buy the necessary food items, the risk of food insecurity for people is still serious and solutions such as “coupons” and the like are only temporary fixes.

Notes:

1. Asfandiyari, Changiz and Mirabbasi, Seyyed Bagher, “Examining the Dimensions of the Right to Food and Food Security in International Documents,” Medical Law Quarterly, Volume 9, Issue 35, Winter 1394, pp. 157-184.

2. Kindness, benevolence, and others. A study of the consequences of climate change from the perspective of human rights, environmental sciences and technology, Volume 17, Issue 4, Winter 1394, pp. 225-234.

3. Asfandiyari, Changiz and Mirabbasi, Seyyed Bagher, “Examining the Dimensions of the Right to Food and Food Security in International Documents,” Medical Law Quarterly, Volume 9, Issue 35, Winter 1394, pp. 157-184.

4. ILNA News Agency, 22 June 2018