Reform of the UN Targeted Sanctions Regime - Mission Accomplished?

• NCJ Number: 247049
• Journal: .SIAK-Journal International Edition Volume: 4 Dated: 2014 Pages: 30-41
• Author(s): Antonio-Maria Martino
• Date Published: 2014
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description; Legislation/Policy Analysis; Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Austria

Annotation

After reviewing the history of the United Nations' use of economic and other sanctions against nations and individuals, reforms in targeted sanctions are discussed, with attention to Al-Qaeda and the financing of terrorism.

Abstract

During the Cold War, the United Nations (UN) applied economic and other sanctions against specific countries in only a few cases. After the end of the stalemate in the UN Security Council at the end of the Cold War, the UN resorted more frequently to comprehensive economic sanctions such as trade embargoes against targeted countries; however, these did not usually change the behaviors of these governments and were likely to adversely impact the most vulnerable groups in the targeted country. This led to sanctions against targeted individuals and entities for financial and travel restrictions as well as arms and commodities. In countermeasures against terrorism, hundreds of individuals and entities have been targeted. Still, there is growing criticism regarding the effectiveness of UN targeted sanctions and their compliance with due process rights and human rights, particularly in sanction efforts against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Consequently, the UN has proposed several measures to improve the transparency and accountability of the various sanctioning efforts. Resolution 1526 of the UN Security Council (2004) established an Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team that assists the Sanctions Committee in evaluating the changing face of the Taliban and Al Qaeda and collecting information needed to strengthen and update the list of targeted individuals and entities. The Security Council also called upon all states, when submitting new names to the committee's list, to include identifying information and background information to the greatest extent possible. Reasons for sanctions and the right to challenge these reasons before an independent body are also suggested in this article. 13 references