They are politically popular but scientifically controversial. They are aimed at small countries like Cuba or economic giants like China and Russia. Six examples of the consequences of sanctions.
Protest in front of the Chancellery: In May, demonstrators in Berlin called for an energy embargo against Russia
Arms embargo, travel ban, trade blockade: The sanctions carousel is turning faster and faster. Recent examples include China's export bans on Taiwan and the sweeping punitive measures taken against Russia after invading Ukraine.
While the United Nations (UN) limits its sanctions to 14 countries, the EU has 35 countries on the list. The US is punishing 38 countries and organizations.
But does the alternative to armed conflict work? Does it go beyond a political signal effect? In its most recent peace report, the “German Institute for Global and Area Studies” (Giga) draws a mixed balance.
China hit hardest by sanctions
“Less than half of all sanctions end in full concessions from the sanctioned,” it says. “This makes it clear that sanctions are an ambivalent peace policy instrument and, like military interventions, must be embedded in an overall political, diplomatic and economic strategy.”
According to Giga, there are also “clear successes”. These included the end of the Libyan nuclear weapons program (sanctions from 1978 – 2006), the anti-corruption measures against Bulgaria (2007 – 09) and the UN sanctions on the civil war in Ivory Coast (2003 – 16). The sanctions against apartheid South Africa in the 1990s are also considered a success. From the long list of sanctioned countries, most of which are in the Global South, DW selected six countries to take a look at the impact of the respective sanctions.
At their meeting in Iran at the end of July, Putin and Turkish President Erdogan also discussed sanctions
< h2>Turkey
Since October 14, 2019, the EU has imposed sanctions on Ankara. The reason is the gas drilling in the eastern Mediterranean off the coast of Cyprus. The measures include travel bans or the freezing of the assets of individuals and companies involved in gas production.
In addition, the USA has imposed sanctions on the NATO partner since December 2020. The reason was the purchase of military equipment from the Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport. In doing so, Ankara violated US secondary sanctions that prohibit doing business with US-sanctioned countries like Russia. The sanctions have exacerbated the economic crisis in Turkey, but have not yet resulted in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan giving in.
Venezuela
Many countries have imposed punitive measures against the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro, most notably the USA, Canada, Mexico, Panama and Switzerland.
In view of the energy crisis, the USA has eased its sanctions against the Venezuelan oil company PDVSA
The US has maintained extensive sanctions against the government in Caracas since 2015 and against the state-owned oil company PDVSA since 2019. In view of the current energy crisis, some restrictions have been relaxed. Since November 2017, the EU has also imposed restrictive measures in response to violations of human rights and democracy. The sanctions have politically isolated Venezuela and increased the country's dependence on China and Russia. The desired regime change did not materialize.
Cuba
The trade embargo imposed on Cuba by US President John F. Kennedy on February 3, 1962 is the longest-lasting sanction in history. The embargo was intended to bring about the fall of Fidel Castro and the communist regime.
Since 1992, Cuba has submitted an annual motion to the UN General Assembly to condemn and abolish the US trade embargo. A large majority of countries are now in favor of an end to the measures, especially the countries in Latin America. The EU lifted its sanctions against Cuba in 2008.
After US President Donald Trump had the relief granted by his predecessor Barack Obama withdrawn, Joe Biden now wants to weaken the US sanctions again. The sanctions strengthened the regime in Havana because it could blame the USA for all crises.
Criticism of the embargo is allowed, but not of the government: Demonstration against the US trade embargo in Cuba
Mali
The West African country of Mali has been subject to multiple sanctions: by the UN Security Council (resolution of September 5, 2017), by the West African economic community Ecowas, by the EU and the USA.
Due to “repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement ” the peace treaty of 2015, terrorist activities and attacks against the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA”, the USA decided on July 26, 2019 to impose additional sanctions on the country.
The West African economic community Ecowas, which also imposed sanctions on Mali after the military coup in August 2020, lifted them again on July 7 of this year Basis for lifting sanctions met.
A military vehicle was destroyed in a bomb attack on the UN mission in Mali in November 2021
Libya
The list of sanctions against Libya is also long. The UN Security Council first imposed a series of restrictions in 1993 after a bomb attack on a US passenger plane over Lockerbie, Scotland. These were lifted in 2003 after the then head of state Muammar al-Gaddafi pleaded guilty and 270 victims' families were compensated.
During the civil war in 2011, the UN Security Council passed a package of sanctions including a no-fly zone. The oil export ban, which was supposed to be lifted on July 30, 2022, was extended until October 30, 2023. On September 21, 2020, the EU imposed additional sanctions for human rights violations and violations of the arms embargo. The measures were partially successful, in particular the no-fly zone is considered a success.
The oil export ban imposed by the UN has curbed production in Libya
Iran
No country is subject to such a complex sanctions regime as Iran. In addition to the Iranian nuclear program, this is due to human rights violations and support for terrorism.
The UN sanctions against Iran were lifted in two steps. On January 16, 2016 after the completion of the international nuclear program, and in October 2020 when the UN arms embargo was lifted. This is considered proof of the effectiveness of sanctions.
The EU joined the UN, but continued to maintain some sanctions due to allegations of human rights violations and terrorism. The USA also adhere stuck to a complex sanctions regime despite easing.
The sanctions have massive economic consequences in Iran. After a visit to Iran in May this year, the UN envoy Alena Douhan is “very concerned” about the humanitarian problems in the country.