Sankcijas

Sankcijas are constraining measures imposed by governments or international organizations to influence behavior, deter wrongdoing, or punish conduct deemed unacceptable. They can be unilateral or multilateral, broad or targeted (smart sanctions), and may target states, organizations, individuals, or sectors of the economy.

They include embargoes and trade restrictions, asset freezes and travel bans, financial sanctions such as prohibitions on correspondent banking, export controls, arms embargoes, and sectoral sanctions. Key actors are the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other states, coordinated within international regimes. Legal basis often arises from international law, the UN Charter, and regional agreements.

Mechanisms involve listing targets, licensing regimes, compliance monitoring, and penalties for violations. Humanitarian exemptions and sunset clauses are common considerations to limit harm to civilians. Sanctions enforcement relies on national authorities, banks, and businesses.

The objectives include changing state behavior, preventing proliferation, protecting human rights, stabilizing regions, and signaling disapproval. Effectiveness varies; critics argue they can hurt civilians and may be circumvented by illicit trade. Their success often depends on the target’s resilience and the unity of the imposing actors.

Notable examples include UN sanctions on Iraq (1990s), Iran (nuclear program), and North Korea; EU and US sanctions related to Russia’s actions in Ukraine; sanctions on individuals and entities involved in human rights abuses.