Sanctions are legally binding restrictions enacted by states or the United Nations (UN) against designated governments in an attempt to pressure them to change their policies or often to punish them for violations of international law. Sanctions have become an increasingly prominent tool to address various international crises, ranging from arms control and weapons proliferation, to human rights abuses, to countering terrorism.
Yet, while they are often a necessary tool, sanctions can also have unintended consequences and result in economic, humanitarian, and political harm to the populations of targeted states. This is especially true in Syria, where sanctions, imposed since 2011 in an attempt to increase pressure on the Assad regime, have impeded the distribution of aid to millions of civilians.
What are Sanctions?
Sanctions are an international law mechanism by which governments and other international organizations (such as the United Nations) impose economic, military, or other measures against a given country. Such measures seek to pressure the governments to modify their policies or behavior, or, in some cases, to punish them for human rights violations.
Types of Sanctions
There are numerous types of sanctions, ranging from economic and political, to military and humanitarian:
Economics Sanctions
These are the most commonly used forms of economic sanctions, which involve restrictions on the export of goods and services to, and investment in, the target country. Such measures can include freezing assets, bans on imports and exports, the blocking of financial and banking services, or the non-recognition of a state or government.
Political Sanctions
These are measures that target the political organs of the state or organization in question, such as sanctions against political leaders or the exclusion of a state from international organizations.
Military Sanctions
These are measures that aim to prevent the acquisition or development of weapons or military technology, or that limit the country’s military activities (e.g., embargoes on military equipment, ban on arms and munitions, or imported dual-use items).
Humanitarian Sanctions
These are measures that are intended to protect civilians, such as imposing restrictions on food and medical imports, or placing restrictions on the flow of refugees and migrants.
History of Sanctions in Syria
The Syrian Civil War began in 2011 and has since created a major humanitarian and political crisis in the region. To pressure the Assad regime to change its policies, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other international organizations imposed numerous sanctions on the country, including an oil embargo, arms embargo, non-recognition of the government, and a ban on chemical weapons. The European Union (EU) and the United States (U.S.) have also implemented their own individual measures, such as economic and financial sanctions, travel bans, and asset freezes.
Impact of Sanctions on Aid Distribution
The pervasive effects of sanctions on the Syrian population have been well-documented. While they may have succeeded in eroding the political and economic foundations of the Assad regime, they have also been detrimental to the basic needs of civilians. This is particularly true in terms of aid distribution, as the sanctions imposed on Syria have impeded the distribution of aid to millions of Syrians in need.
These impediments include:
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Financial Restrictions: Sanctions imposed on the banking sector, as well as on the use of the Syrian pound, have disrupted the country’s financial system, essentially locking out international aid organizations and making it impossible for them to transfer money into the country in order to purchase resources and material for aid projects.
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Difficulty in Negotiating Access: Complex licensing requirements imposed by the U.S. and other countries for activities that could be related to “proscribed persons” in Syria have also presented a major hurdle for many aid organizations. This has significantly increased the time and resources required to secure visas and transport materials across the border.
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Supply-Chain Disruptions: In addition, restrictions on the delivery of aid (including a ban on the most cost-efficient vessels for transporting goods) have further hindered the efficient delivery of aid in Syria.
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Lack of Data: The instability and insecurity of the Syrian conflict has also hindered the collection of data needed for the successful coordination and distribution of aid. This includes the difficulties faced by aid workers in determining the extent and location of needs, and the inability of international donors to adequately assess the impact of their aid projects.
Sanctions have become an increasingly popular tool in international relations, and while they are often justified as necessary to pressure governments to change their behavior, they can also cause great harm to a country’s civilians. This is particularly true in Syria, where the sanctions imposed on the country since 2011 have hindered the distribution of vital aid to millions of people in need. By disrupting the financial system, delaying access, disrupting supply-chains, and preventing data collection, sanctions have created a difficult and often dangerous environment in which to provide humanitarian assistance. As such, it is essential that the international community take steps to mitigate the impact of sanctions on aid distribution in Syria, and ensure that those in need are able to access the resources they need.
