Impact of UCMs on the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the work of humanitarian actors (13 March 2024, ROOM XXV - PALAIS DES NATIONS, GENEVA)
This side event seeks to raise awareness about and strengthen knowledge of the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the work of humanitarian actors in countries and regions targeted by such measures.
Background and purpose
Numerous studies and reports have often demonstrated how unilateral coercive measures in their various forms, including unilateral economic, financial, targeted and other primary sanctions, secondary sanctions, as well as other related restrictions, have serious adverse impact on the timely and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance to populations in need in the targeted by such measures countries and regions. In her work, the Special Rapporteur has often demonstrated how the complex, overlapping and expanded frameworks of unilateral sanctions, with their multifaceted restrictions and prohibitions, seriously undermine any meaningful engagement and relationship with sanctioned countries and regions, even for the delivery of essential goods, including in situations of emergency.1 And while welcoming all efforts by sanctioning States to introduce and update humanitarian exemption mechanisms, the Special Rapporteur has repeatedly raised serious concerns about their effectiveness in view of the comprehensive economic and social disruptions caused by unilateral sanctions.
Furthermore, the comprehensiveness, fluidity and complexity of sanctions regimes, as well as of humanitarian exemptions, exceptions and derogations, and their related licensing procedures, all constitute serious challenges for the principled, timely and life-saving work of humanitarian actors, who out of fear of possible civil or criminal liability for violating often vaguely prescribed sanctions-related prohibitions, or due to costly licensing application procedures, may scale down and completely discontinue their operations in targeted by sanctions countries or regions.
The side event aims at bringing to the forefront these and other considerations, and at helping to amplify the voices of humanitarian actors who operate in challenging environments striving to navigate the wide range of sanctions-induced restrictions and overcoming instances of over-compliance, including in the supply chain and financial sectors.
In line with HRC resolutions 27/21 and 54/15, the expected outcome of the side event, in the form of an evidence-based assessment and related recommendations, will assist the Special Rapporteur: i) to collect stakeholders’ experiences on the impacts of unilateral coercive measures on lasting national and regional developments; ii) to strengthen cooperation with stakeholders working on issues related to unilateral sanctions and humanitarian assistance; iii) to assess the impediments due to unilateral sanctions, secondary sanctions and over-compliance.
Issues in focus
- Identify and discuss on sanctions-induced challenges and obstacles in the delivery of humanitarian assistance and of essential goods
- Discuss structural and operational matters specific to humanitarian actors impacted by sanctions-related frameworks and restrictions
- Address the issue of over-compliance and its impact on deliveries of essential goods and goods necessary for maintenance of critical infrastructure and services
- Discuss the role of existing humanitarian exemptions, as mechanisms to mitigate adverse humanitarian impact of unilateral sanctions, and their role in addressing instances of over-compliance
Modalities
The side event will feature panel presentations by the invited experts, followed by Q&A session. It will be held in person and presented in English.
Statements
Statement by H.E. Mr. Haydar Ali Ahmad
Statement by Mr. Wissam al-Saliby
Statement by Mr. Alistair Dutton (Video statement)
Statement by Ms. Elena Gentili (Video statement)
Contacts
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:
Information about the SR and the Mandate
The Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights is part of the Special Procedures mechanism of the Human Rights Council. Special Rapporteurs are independent human rights experts mandated by the Council to report and provide advice from specific thematic or country-specific perspectives.
Information about the SR and the mandate
Special Rapporteur’s Thematic Reports
Special Rapporteur’s Country Visit Reports
Link access: Impact of UCMs on the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the work of humanitarian actors.