OHCHR and unilateral coercive measures

About unilateral coercive measures and human rights

The term “unilateral coercive measures” usually refers to economic measures taken by one State to compel a change in the policy of another State. Examples of such measures include trade sanctions in the form of embargoes and the interruption of financial and investment flows between sender and target countries. More recently, so-called “smart” or “targeted” sanctions such as asset freezing and travel bans have been employed by individual States in order to influence persons who are perceived to have political influence in another State (Human Rights Council resolution 19/33).

Unilateral coercive measures can impact the full enjoyment of human rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular the rights of everyone to a standard of living adequate for their health and well-being, including food and medical care, housing and necessary social services.

Our work on unilateral coercive measures

As part of its mandate, the Office carries out a number of tasks relating to unilateral coercive measures, including:

• Preparing and presenting reports on a number of related themes, including reports of the Secretary General to the General Assembly and of the High Commissioner to the Human Rights Council;
• Organizing workshops and panel discussions;
• Supporting the work of the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights;
• Assessing the negative impacts of unilateral coercive measures and other sanctions on the enjoyment of human rights; and
• Calling for the easing or suspension of unilateral coercive measures that may negatively impact the enjoyment of human rights in countries affected by such sanctions.

Read more about the work of UN Human Rights and unilateral coercive measures