Reform of the United Nations Sanctions Regime

Abstract

Sanctions are undoubtedly a most important tool in the Security Council’s (SC’s) arsenal when working for international peace and security. They are the sharpest instruments short of armed force. Since the mustering of combat troops has become more and more difficult, it is sanctions that the Council likes to turn to when harsh measures seem to be needed in order to redress a dangerous situation or to coerce an aggressor into withdrawal and reparations. This is legal and legitimate. In order to keep this instrument available and sharp, it has to be used only where appropriate. Otherwise it loses not only its justification but also its efficiency. I shall come back to this.

This article is the revised version of the report that was presented on November 14, 200 by the author of the present article at the UN Security Council Working Group on General Issues on Sanctions.

Born in 1933; study of law in Germany and Master of Laws in New York; since 1963 active in foreign service; among others head of the subdivision international law and of the law department, Permanent Representative at the United Nations in New York (1995–1998); Representative of Germany (1995/1996) in the Security Council and Chairman of the Committee on Sanctions against Iraq.