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As a result
of broad U.S. economic sanctions, countries such as Iran,
Syria, Venezuela, North Korea, Sudan, and Zimbabwe struggle
without adequate food, electricity, medicine, medical
supplies, masks and respirators. Those who suffer most under
sanctions include pregnant women, children, and the
chronically ill.
We need to urge the Biden
administration to issue a worldwide temporary general
license to allow all countries and locations sanctioned by
the United States to be able to easily import all related
medicines, medical supplies, and vaccines, to facilitate
international relief efforts related to
COVID-19.
We've put together, with our allies, a
petition that will be delivered to President Joe Biden;
Vice President Kamala Harris; White House Chief of Staff Ron
Klain; Sec. of State Antony Blinken; Sec. of Defense Lloyd
Austin; Sec. of the Treasury Janet Yellen; and Sec. of
Commerce Gina Raimondo.
Click
here to add your name!
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The U.S. Treasury
Department has the power to issue a worldwide, temporary
general license authorizing the exportation and re-exportation
of medical supplies and equipment and other essential goods
that might otherwise be prohibited by sanctions. The temporary
general license would not require Congress to suspend or
repeal sanctions and would only cover the listed types of
supplies and equipment. By making it clear these types of
financial transactions are allowable, this license would aid
in the donation or sale of items such as test kits,
respirators, sanitizers, personal protective equipment, and
medicine, which are all critical for preventing and
treating COVID-19.
U.S. economic sanctions
technically exempt humanitarian items -- but banks, insurance
companies, and other corporations are afraid that if they
make loans, provide insurance for shipments, or send goods,
the U.S. government will accuse them of violating the
sanctions, levy hefty fines, and place them on a banned
business list.
An April 2020 Human Rights Watch report
explained that sanctions have had a particularly
detrimental effect on Iran’s healthcare system, as the
country lacks access to critical medical equipment and
medicine despite existing exemptions. UN Human Rights
Commissioner Michele Bachelet echoed this point when she
called for an easing of sanctions for COVID-19 relief. Past
Republican and Democratic Party administrations have issued
temporary general licenses after earthquakes in Iran. So,
there is precedent for following through on this
request.
Sign
the petition here!
After
signing the petition, please use the tools on the next
webpage to share it with your friends.
This work is
only possible with your financial support. Please
chip in $3 now.
--
The RootsAction.org Team
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Background:
>> liftthesanctions.org
www.RootsAction.org
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Sent: Saturday,
March 13, 2021 10:05 PM
Subject: Tell Biden
to Lift Sanctions for COVID Relief
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