Wider Discussion on Sanctions Reform | Criticism of the Sanctions | Statements against Sanctions
Civilian Flights | Other Analyses of the Sanctions | UN Security Council: Disagreement and Debates | Oil in Iraq
Major Initiatives | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 and 1996
See also Analytical Documents on Iraq and UN Documents on Sanctions
Major Initiatives
Making Targeted Sanctions Effective: Guidelines for the Implementation of UN Policy Options (February 14, 2003)
This final report of the Stockholm Process, headed by the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University, offers recommendations to the United Nations in order to make targeted sanctions effective without adversely affecting the humanitarian population. Such recommendations include creating a database on past and existing sanctions, developing training programs for member states on how to enforce sanctions, and mandating renewed updates on the effects of targeted sanctions in specific situations.
Iraq Sanctions: Humanitarian Implications and Options for the Future (August 6, 2002)
A comprehensive report on UN sanctions against Iraq, issued by Global Policy Forum and eleven NGO partners on the twelfth anniversary of the original sanction resolution in the Security Council. The report discusses sharp differences in the Council over the sanctions, issues in humanitarian law, and the battle for the future of Iraq's oil riches.
International Law and Standards Regarding Sanction Regimes (March 2000)
A Peace Action policy paper that outlines the basis in international law for evaluating the legality of sanctions regimes.
Bonn-Berlin Process
Bonn International Center for Conversion in cooperation with Auswärtiges Amt (German Foreign Office) and the UN Secretariat, hosted two seminars in November 1999 and December 2000 on "smart-sanctions". Looking at arms embargoes and travel sanctions in a follow-up to the Interlaken process.
Interlaken Seminar and GIIS
Web site on "smart" sanctions produced in conjunction with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Switzerland. Contains background material on the Interlaken Seminaron targeting UN financial sanctions in May 1998 and the GIIS Colloquium on UN Sanctions and International Law in June 1999. Colloquium on UN Sanctions and International Law in June 1999.
Speech by Ambassador Monteiro of Portugal on Targeted Sanctions (December 7, 1998)
Fourth Freedom Forum's Symposium on targeted sanctions held in New York at the UN Plaza Hotel. In his speech, Monteiro speaks of "the need for continuous adjustments in order to maintain the intended focus of sanctions" and refers to receiving important and positive reaction by NGOs.
Sixteen Policy Recommendations on Sanctions
James A. Paul of Global Policy Forum made these recommendations at a forum of German parliamentarians in Bonn on March 31, 1998.
Web site for the annual publication of the Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs, which contains articles on sanctions. -->
2008
Strengthening Targeted Sanctions through Fair and Clear Procedures (March 30, 2006)
UN Security Council sanctions for individuals face criticism because an effective remedy to reverse them is lacking. The sanctions committee does not always notify listed persons about the sanctions and the reasons why the Council issued them. Although sanction committees have improved sanction procedures, various national courts have begun to explore the possibilities of reviewing Council resolutions relating to sanctions. (Watson Institute for International Studies)
2003
Making Sanctions Smarter: Are Humanitarian Costs an Essential Element in the Success of Sanctions? (January 2003)
In a joint report, the Red Cross and the International Peace Research Institute examine how the international community has used sanctions in the past. This analysis aims to ensure a more effective use of sanctions in the future to minimize their humanitarian consequences while maintaining prospects for success.
2002
Save the Children (UK) Iraq Briefing Memo (October 18, 2002)
Save the Children (UK) summarizes recent data on the humanitarian conditions in Iraq based on several UN sources. The memo includes, among other things, estimates of bulk food stocks, the adequacy of "Oil-for-Food" ration, rates of communicable diseases, and child nutrition.
Will Smart Sanctions Alleviate the Humanitarian Problem in Iraq? (May, 2002)
The international community has become increasingly critical of sanctions against Iraq, forcing the US and the UK to make changes in the rules. However, Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq doubts that the new "smart sanctions" will alleviate the humanitarian situation of Iraqi civilians.
US Strategic Options for Iraq: Easier Said than Done (Spring, 2002)
The Washington Quarterly analyzes US policy options toward Iraq offering a patient approach, a moderate approach and a "bold" strategy, each including the costs, benefits and risks associated with each option. The author privileges the patient approach as offering more gain than pain.
2001
US Policy Toward Iraq: Policy Alternatives (June 2001)
This position paper from Foreign Policy in Focus gives some background information and proposes alternative US policies on arms control, economic sanctions, human rights, no-fly zones, Iraqi opposition and environmental issues in Iraq.
Time for a Modified Approach (February 2001)
This paper from the Brookings Institute indicates the thinking of the Bush administration. The author worked with Richard Haass, now Director of the Policy Planning at the State Department.
2000
Targeted Sanctions: A Brief Overview of Options (November 3, 2000)
A statement prepared by the NGO Working Group on Iraq proposes a "viable system to monitor and restrict the importing of weapons and military-related technology", as well as targeted financial sanctions as options to better target sanctions against Saddam Hussein.
Lloyd Axworthy Addresses Security Council on Sanctions (April 17, 2000)
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lloyd Axworthy, addressed the Security Council on the mixed record of sanctions over the past decade and proposed measures to increase effectiveness and limit civilian suffering in the future.
Proposed Standing Sanctions Committee (March 2000)
Contains the elements of the mandate for what would become a permanent Security Council committee of its elected countries to monitor all sanctions in use world-wide.
House of Commons Select Committee (January 27, 2000)
A British Parliamentary Committee on International Development takes a critical look at UK sanctions, especially policies towards Iraq.
Sanctions as Siege Warfare (March 22, 1999)
An article in The Nation by Joy Gordon on the issue of sanctions on Iraq and sanctions in general.
"A Peace and Security Agenda for Children" (February 12, 1999)
Excerpt from a statement by Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF, at an open Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts.
1998
OCHA: Coping with the Humanitarian Impact of Sanctions (December 2, 1998)
"The purpose of this paper is to review the need for new institutional arrangements in the elaboration and implementation of sanctions regimes with regard to UN efforts to minimize the humanitarian impact of sanctions."
Paper on Sanctions by the Mennonite Central Committee (November 30, 1998)
Paper submitted to the Security Council focuses on humanitarian problems surrounding sanctions.
Slovenia on the Usefulness of Sanctions (October 30, 1998)
Issue Paper by the Slovenian mission concerning the sanctions imposed by the Security Council, stating which unwanted conseqences they have and how to make them work better.
The Holy See Delegation's Position on Sanctions (October 13, 1998)
Calls for close scrutiny of humanitarian impact of santions.
"Peace Through Sanctions?" (January 1998)
Statement by Manfred Kulessa and Dorothee Starck of the Development and Peace Foundation of Germany.
Special Security Council Body For Sanctions Urged (January 1998)
The Development and Peace Foundation (SEF) is criticizing the measures of the Security Council regarding sanctions and therefore suggests to establish a new special body of the United Nations Security Council.
