Pressure for change is a significant advantage of sanctions. As a strong weapon or means to force the party to change its behavior in a civil war regime, economic sanctions ensure it is an albeit indispensable tool (Badache et al., 2022). The use of economic tools, such as trade embargoes and asset freezes, leads the regime to impose specific sanctions, which pose real penalties for their actions. The economic separation policy has the scope to produce pressure on the state to consider policy changes, including but not limited to the discontinuation of human rights abuses or engagement in peace talks. As a consequence, the possibility of a financial rebound and returning to the international system might jeopardize the regime to require them to try to attain a judicious resolution to the crisis that is in line with the generally accepted world’s rules and regulations.
The economic sanctions, on the other hand, can be employed as a non-violent measure of solving the civil war. This marks a diplomatic and economic path in attempts to effect a change without direct military engagement (Badache et al., 2022). The non-violent one will not provoke a violent reaction from the Daesh regime and will only show America’s approval or disapproval of the regime. By selecting economic sanctions, the United States indirectly says that it is determined to solve the conflict by the use of diplomatic and peaceful methods without arms means. Thus, the preference for dialogue and negotiation over armed attack can be understood. This modal can assist maintaining balance in a region and avoid critically deterioration of violence.
The application for economic sanctions will be useful in the forum where the US demonstrates its leadership in the safeguarding of human rights as well as maintaining stability on the world stage (Badache et al., 2022). As for the issue of attracting a larger number of supporters within the international community, the USA can achieve it by imposing specific and concerted economic sanctions on the regime in question. Fostering the demonstration of a pledge to respect human rights and international norms on sanctions can cause other countries to collaborate in trying to force oppressive regimes to change willingly. Such joint effort not only enhances the power of the sanctioning regime but also brings to the forefront the role of a unanimous reaction of the international community to conflicts and human rights violations. Such a show of solidarity amongst the countries that are wishing for peace and stability becomes a global hallmark of cooperation and harmony.
Cons
However, one of the crucial downsides of economic sanctions is that they may ultimately cause harm to the civilian population (Badache et al., 2022). Though the target group of sanctions is the regime or the arm groups, the civilian lots mostly endure sanction impacts. The results of sanctions may be a disruption of a usual process of goods and services transmissions including food, medicine, and aid that should be directed to people. Because of that, there may be a problem of supply and demand, or the prices can go higher than usual. This may produce a humanitarian crisis, which, in turn, will have a bad influence on the most defenseless parts of the social body, including the children, the older adults and the sick. One problem that may arise as a result of sanctions for civilians is a compromise of ethical standards, so the chances of the international community using the mechanism to protect human rights and ease the conflict in the affected regions are high.
Although the very essence of these sanctions is to change the way a representative leader operates or how the armed groups behave, sometimes, this may be different. Regimes tend to quickly adopt alternative sources of income, as well as create illicit networks, and introduce within national authorities stabilizing measures to minimize the consequences of the economic sanctions (Badache et al., 2022). On some occasions, sanctions can even be used as a tool by the leadership, which makes them more suspicious, restrictive or increased repression. The question about the effectiveness of the sanctions against the backdrop of the fast-changing world demands a new approach. This non-traditional tactic should be capable of providing lasting confidence by bringing up an issue that caused the crisis in the first place.
Moreover, the implementation of economic sanctions in the context of civil war can result in spill-over effects on the stability of the region as a whole besides the targeted party. The measures taken can incline the location that is subject to them to respond in kind with the sanction, exerting pressure and jeopardizing the peace in the region. Firstly, extended economic disturbances by the sanctions could be also laid out on the neighboring countries and negatively influence trade, investment and inter-regional stability.
Types of Sanctions to Recommend and Why
Given the complexity and controversy revolving around sanctions, it is crucial to consider a well-versed approach when recommending types of sanctions. Based on Strydom (2022), here are some of the types and considerations that should be put in place when recommending sanctions. Discriminate sanctions or smart sanctions have evolved as a form of strategic substitute to traditional sweeping economic sanctions that pursue the idea of hitting specific individuals or entities within the government instead of lifting broad and indiscriminating measures that could harm ordinary citizens. Through such specific powers, like for instance, freezing assets or travel restraints, the goal is to make the leaders act in a way necessary for peace without hitting the innocent population hard.
Nevertheless, from a sanction perspective, it is also very important to ensure that international law is well observed, including all provisions and principles in the United Nations Charter. Sanctions as a prohibitive measure should be allocated where there are threats to international peace and security so as to enable the global community to address security issues effectively. When sanctions are in accordance with international legal regimes, states can enable themselves to create lawful solutions and maintain an internationally peaceful and safe system. In addition, sanctions effect on the human rights issues cannot be ignored. Assessment of the resulting impact sanctions can exert on civilian populations in order to avoid disproportionate hurt or violations of human rights essentials is an indispensable task. Taking human rights concerns into account in crafting and executing sanctions programs helps to mitigate the impact on particular groups whose situation is mostly precarious. It encourages the preservation of the principles of dignity, equality, and justice.
References
Badache, F., Hellmüller, S., & Salaymeh, B. (2022). Conflict management or conflict resolution: How do major powers conceive the role of the United Nations in peacebuilding? Contemporary Security Policy, 43(4), 547-571.
Strydom, H. (2022). The sanctions debate in the work of the United Nations since the 2000 working paper. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal/Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad, 25(1).
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