Focus on the economic measures taken by one State to compel a change in the policy of another State.

OHCHR



According to the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR), the term “unilateral coercive measures” usually refers to economic measures taken by one State to compel a change in the policy of another State. Examples of such measures include trade sanctions in the form of embargoes and the interruption of financial and investment flows between sender and target countries. More recently, so-called “smart” sanctions or “targeted” sanctions, such as asset freezing and travel bans have been employed by individual States in order to influence persons who are perceived to have political influence in another State (Human Rights Council resolution 19/33).

Unilateral coercive measures and legislation are contrary to international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, the Charter of the United Nations and the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among States, such as the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States.

Moreover, such measures can impact the full enjoyment of human rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular the rights of everyone to a standard of living adequate for their health and well-being, including food and medical care, housing and necessary social services.




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Focus on the trade sanctions in the form of embargoes.

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