Editor's note: Mariam Shah, a special commentator for CGTN, is an Islamabad-based independent researcher in the field of conflict studies and military psychology. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The international community has once again called for the lifting of illegal unilateral sanctions to improve global humanitarian work in several regions. Recently, Volker Turk, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, has emphasized and repeatedly urged the member states to suspend or lift any unilateral coercive measures that harm human rights and worsen humanitarian crises. He said that sanctions that threatened people's lives and health needed to be halted. Furthermore, Alena Douhan, the special rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures and human rights, has cautioned that unilateral sanctions and excessive compliance practices endanger global health and well-being. Douhan, in her report to the 54th session of the Human Rights Council, emphasized the detrimental impact of over-compliance with sanctions by business and financial sectors, particularly in hindering the procurement and distribution of essential medical supplies and humanitarian goods that should be exempt from restrictions.

Moreover, China has also urged the lifting of illegal unilateral sanctions to improve international humanitarian work. China has raised this concern multiple times as it keeps affecting humanitarian aid to conflict-hit countries. According to Chinese envoy Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative at the United Nations, these sanctions hinder countries from delivering essential services to the affected communities. The envoy has called on the international community to lift these unilateral sanctions, eliminate their adverse effects, and create favorable conditions for global humanitarian actions.

The Western block, led by the United States, has increasingly used sanctions for decades. It has become one of the most favored tools for governments to respond to foreign policy challenges and try to alter strategic decisions in their interest. Whoever they deem a "threat" or "challenge" will be imposed with sanctions. For years, humanitarian principles have been compromised by the use of unilateral sanctions by Western nations, and these sanctions have brought suffering to the masses, mainly civilians and non-combatant populations. 

So, how do these sanctions affect humanitarian efforts?

Unilateral sanctions have significantly impacted humanitarian responses, often leading to adverse consequences for the civilian population. The UN experts have repeatedly urged states to consider humanitarian impacts when imposing or implementing sanctions. In law and books, these sanctions should never hinder a population's ability to obtain essential goods, services, or critical infrastructure for their well-being and living standards. As Martin Griffiths, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said "in all contexts, they should ensure that sanctions do not restrict the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to food, water, shelter, and health."

However, in reality and practice, these sanctions can disrupt supply chains, making it difficult for humanitarian organizations to provide essential aid to those in need. This entire cycle significantly undermines the ability of humanitarian organizations and weakens their ability to carry out their activities, including implementing development projects. These sanctions restrict the flow of funds and resources, making it challenging for humanitarian organizations to operate effectively. Most importantly, these sanctions disproportionately impact the most vulnerable populations, including women, children and elderly people. In conflict or crisis-ridden countries, these groups often rely heavily on humanitarian aid, and any interruption in the delivery of assistance can have severe consequences for their well-being and survival. Besides, these sanctions also exacerbate existing humanitarian crises by further destabilizing the situation and increasing the suffering of the civilian population. All this makes it even more challenging for humanitarian organizations to provide assistance and protection.

For instance, sanctions have made it difficult for UN agencies and aid groups to effectively increase their emergency response in Syria, which has resulted in delays in providing essential aid. As per many reports, sanctions against Syria have negatively impacted humanitarian conditions, causing catastrophic harm to the civilian population. Moreover, these sanctions have isolated the country, preventing it from accessing essential goods and services. Moreover, in Niger, more than two million children need humanitarian aid following a recent coup and violence, and roughly 4.3 million people rely on humanitarian assistance. Recently, the UN launched an urgent appeal to all actors to guarantee access to Niger for humanitarian work.

What needs to be done?

The UN has repeatedly reiterated the need to mitigate the humanitarian impact of unilateral sanctions; the international community should continue to review the design and implementation of these measures. This includes ensuring that sanctions do not impede humanitarian organizations' assistance and protection activities for non-combatants, "which is irrespective of their allegiance or designation." Additionally, sanctions should be used as a last resort following the exhaustion of diplomatic solutions and addressing the underlying issues.

Under international law, all states must uphold their international commitments, particularly concerning human rights. It's time for the international community to rethink, review and remove all unilateral sanctions that lack authorization from the UN Security Council and those that do not align with their international obligations or cannot be justified under the principles of global responsibility. Given the choking ability of these sanctions on the sanctioned nations, Western powers should adhere to humanitarian principles. There is no justification to impede the delivery of food and medicine to countries already grappling with conflict, poverty and limited resources.

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