Arria-formula meeting on the topic “End Unilateral Coercive Measures Now”
Thank you, Ambassador.
When talking about sanctions, the key question is: WHY do we have sanctions? No question of possible coercive measures can ever rise when a State respects human rights, complies with the rule of law and good governance.
Targeted sanctions can be an essential instrument for maintaining international peace and security. Sanctions are not punitive. They play a crucial role in targeting those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, for breaches of international law, flows of arms into war zones, and acts of aggression. Hence, being in full compliance with the purpose and principles of UN Charter and international law.
Sometimes sanctions are blamed for hindering a country’s socio-economic situation and impeding humanitarian response. Situation in Syria and DPRK are often brought up in this context.
This is a misinterpretation of sanctions. The European Union sanctions do not in any way hinder Syria’s socio-economic situation. EU sanctions target specific persons and sectors of the Syrian economy, meaning that majority of sectors – including food and medicines – are not targeted. Syria’s economic collapse is a direct result of Syrian regime’s deliberate bombing of civilian facilities, corruption, and government supported warlordism. Not sanctions, but broader regional dynamic, defines Syria’s problems. In a recent interview, even president Bashar Al-Assad admitted that the current economic distress is mostly linked to the banking crisis in Lebanon rather than anything else.
By imposing sanctions on the Syrian leadership, war criminals are denied access to funds. We signal that targeting schools and hospitals, and torturing political prisoners will not be dismissed as something normal.
Regarding the DPRK, full and effective implementation of sanctions is an integral part of the pressure on the regime to give up its weapons of mass destruction in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. It is unacceptable that whilst the regime is continuing to develop its missile and nuclear program, its people is suffering in food shortages and lack of healthcare. Claiming that the terrible humanitarian situation is the result of sanctions is not only misleading, it is despicable.
Enabling safe, unhindered and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance is as relevant now as it was a few months ago. Unimpeded humanitarian access is crucial for an effective response to the COVID-19 outbreak and there cannot be any question about it. It is unfortunate that COVID-19 is being used as a pretext for trying to lift restrictive measures. European Union sanctions are targeted and do not obstruct the fight against the pandemic. They include the possibility of humanitarian exemptions.
Mr Chair,
The tool of sanctions is a bitter-sweet reminder of the atrocities taking place in the world. Sanctions remain crucial in fighting terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in upholding respect for human rights, democracy, the rule of law and good governance.
Thank you.