Maroon MUN Impact of economic sanctions on citizens Nov 15-16, 2024
Economic and Social Council
Impact of economic sanctions on citizens
I. About Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is a key committee, one of the UN's six
principal organs established in 1945. Its primary purpose is to promote international
economic and social cooperation, as well as development. In MUN simulations, The
primary purpose of ECOSOC is to promote international Economic and Social
Cooperation, Human rights development, Coordination of UN Specialized Agencies and
Engagement with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
It has 54 Members. Its establishment reflected the broader post-World War II
commitment to peace and human development by addressing the root causes of
instability, such as poverty, inequality, and lack of access to education and health
services. ECOSOC was intended to support a more equitable and sustainable global
economy, working through international cooperation. The HLPF is the central platform
for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17
Sustainable Development Goals. ECOSOC provides a special worldwide forum for
fruitful discussions between legislators, businesses, foundations, academics, politicians,
young people, and more than 3,200 registered NGOs.
Over the past decade, reforms have enhanced ECOSOC's leadership in identifying
emerging challenges, fostering innovation, and promoting the balanced integration of
the three pillars of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental.
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Maroon MUN Impact of economic sanctions on citizens Nov 15-16, 2024
For more information please check the following links:
https://ecosoc.un.org/en/about-us
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Economic-and-Social-Council
I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE AGENDA
Economic sanctions are political and economic tools used by countries or international
organizations to influence the behavior of governments, groups, or individuals. The
primary goal of sanctions is often to enforce international norms, discourage aggressive
actions, or penalize nations for violating human rights or engaging in activities like
terrorism or nuclear proliferation.
The impact of economic sanctions on citizens, however, is a subject of significant
debate. While sanctions are aimed at governments or elites, their effects often trickle
down to the general population, sometimes unintentionally causing harm to civilians.
Sanctions have evolved significantly since their early implementation in the 20th century.
The post-World War II era saw the United Nations adopting sanctions as part of its
peacekeeping measures, with notable examples including sanctions against South
Africa during apartheid. However, the 1990s marked a critical turning point with the
imposition of comprehensive sanctions on Iraq after its invasion of Kuwait, which
resulted in severe humanitarian impacts, including widespread malnutrition and health
care collapses.
As awareness of these humanitarian consequences grew, the early 2000s witnessed a
shift toward targeted sanctions, designed to minimize civilian suffering by focusing on
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Maroon MUN Impact of economic sanctions on citizens Nov 15-16, 2024
specific individuals or sectors rather than entire economies. Despite this shift, the
adverse effects on ordinary citizens remain a concern, as many sanctions do not
effectively distinguish between government and civilian sectors.
In recent years, the humanitarian implications of sanctions have come under increasing
scrutiny, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts and global crises. The COVID-
19 pandemic has further highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by populations in
sanctioned countries, leading to calls for more humane and effective sanctions policies.
This agenda aims to explore the complexities surrounding economic sanctions, focusing
on their impact on citizens, the ethical considerations involved, and potential reforms to
better balance political objectives with humanitarian needs. As the international
community grapples with these issues, understanding the ramifications of sanctions on
civilians is crucial for developing responsible and effective foreign policy strategies.
III. TIMELINE OF EVENTS
● Early Use of Sanctions
Economic sanctions have a long history, dating back to ancient civilizations. However,
their modern use began in the 20th century, particularly after World War I, when the
League of Nations employed sanctions as a tool for maintaining peace. These early
efforts often lacked effectiveness and clarity, setting the stage for future debates about
their implementation.
● Post-World War II Developments
The establishment of the United Nations in 1945 brought a formal framework for
collective security, including the imposition of sanctions. The UN Security Council has
since utilized sanctions to address threats to international peace, beginning with
measures against South Africa in the 1960s in response to apartheid.
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● Cold War Era
During the Cold War, sanctions became a tool for the U.S. and its allies to isolate
countries seen as threats, such as Cuba after the 1961 Cuban Revolution and North
Vietnam. The effectiveness of these sanctions was often debated, as they sometimes
galvanized national unity rather than instigating change.
● 1990s: Increased Use and Humanitarian Concerns
The end of the Cold War saw a surge in sanctions as a means of addressing conflicts in
the Balkans, Iraq, and other regions. The UN imposed comprehensive sanctions on Iraq
after its invasion of Kuwait in 1990, which resulted in significant humanitarian crises,
including widespread malnutrition and health care collapse. This period marked a critical
turning point, leading to growing concerns about the adverse effects of sanctions on
civilian populations.
● 2000s: Shift Towards Targeted Sanctions
In response to the humanitarian fallout of comprehensive sanctions, the early 2000s saw
a shift towards targeted or “smart” sanctions aimed at specific individuals and entities.
This approach was designed to minimize the impact on civilians while still applying
pressure on governing bodies. However, debates continued about the effectiveness of
these sanctions and their unintended consequences.
● Recent Trends and Global Context
In the last two decades, sanctions have been employed in various geopolitical contexts,
including:
• Iran: Economic sanctions aimed at curbing nuclear proliferation led to
significant hardships for the civilian population, prompting discussions about
humanitarian exemptions.
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Maroon MUN Impact of economic sanctions on citizens Nov 15-16, 2024
• North Korea: Extensive sanctions have further isolated the country but
have also exacerbated food insecurity and health crises among citizens.
• Venezuela: Sanctions targeting the government have coincided with a
severe economic collapse, worsening conditions for ordinary Venezuelans.
● Current Relevance
The impact of economic sanctions on citizens remains a pressing issue in international
relations. Recent global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted and
intensified discussions about the balance between enforcing sanctions and addressing
humanitarian needs. Policymakers and scholars continue to call for more nuanced
approaches that consider the broader implications for civilian populations, emphasizing
the need for accountability and ethical considerations in the use of sanctions.
IV. MAIN PROBLEMS
1. Humanitarian Crises: Economic sanctions can lead to shortages of essential
goods, including food, medicine, and clean water, resulting in malnutrition and
health crises among civilian populations.
2. Economic Hardship: Sanctions often cripple local economies, causing
widespread unemployment, inflation, and poverty, which disproportionately affect
vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly.
3. Access to Healthcare: Sanctions can hinder access to medical supplies and
healthcare services, leading to deteriorating public health conditions and
increased mortality rates from preventable diseases.
4. Social Unrest: The economic and social strain from sanctions can incite protests
and civil unrest, further destabilizing regions and creating cycles of violence and
repression.
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Maroon MUN Impact of economic sanctions on citizens Nov 15-16, 2024
5. Long-term Economic Damage: The effects of sanctions can have lasting
impacts on economies, making recovery difficult even after sanctions are lifted,
resulting in prolonged hardship for citizens.
6. Psychological Impact: The stress and uncertainty associated with economic
instability and humanitarian crises can lead to mental health issues, including
anxiety and depression among affected populations.
7. Migration and Displacement: Economic sanctions can drive citizens to migrate
in search of better opportunities, leading to increased refugee flows and further
complicating regional stability.
V. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
1. Smart Sanctions: Implement targeted sanctions that focus on specific
individuals, entities, or sectors, minimizing the impact on the general population
and essential services.
2. Humanitarian Exemptions: Establish clear provisions that allow for the
unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, ensuring access to food, medicine, and
medical supplies for affected civilians.
3. Regular Impact Assessments: Conduct thorough assessments of the
humanitarian and economic impacts of sanctions on civilians, adjusting measures
as necessary to mitigate harm.
4. International Collaboration: Foster cooperation among countries and
international organizations to develop best practices for sanctions that prioritize
humanitarian considerations and civilian welfare.
5. Diplomatic Engagement: Pair sanctions with diplomatic efforts aimed at
resolving underlying conflicts, encouraging dialogue to address grievances while
minimizing civilian suffering.
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6. Legal Protections for Aid Workers: Ensure that international and local
humanitarian organizations can operate without fear of legal repercussions,
allowing them to provide essential services in sanctioned countries.
7. Tailored Sanction Measures: Design sanctions that take into account the
specific economic and social context of the targeted country, aiming to achieve
political objectives without widespread harm to civilians.
VI. MAIN STAKEHOLDERS:
1. Governments Imposing Sanctions: National governments and international
bodies (e.g., the UN, EU) that design and implement sanctions, influencing their
scope and objectives.
2. Affected Governments: The governments of countries targeted by sanctions,
which may face pressure to change policies but often lead to increased hardships
for their citizens.
3. Humanitarian Organizations: NGOs and international agencies (e.g., the Red
Cross, Oxfam) that provide aid and support to affected populations, often
advocating for exemptions to sanctions.
4. International Law and Human Rights Groups: Organizations that monitor and
advocate for compliance with human rights standards, raising concerns about the
humanitarian impacts of sanctions on civilians.
VII. CURRENT STATUS:
Addressing the impact of economic sanctions on citizens has become a major focus of
policymakers, humanitarian organizations, and international bodies. Recent efforts and
ongoing measures have been taken to mitigate the negative effects on civilian
populations while still maintaining the pressure on targeted regimes.
Many governments and international organizations, such as the United Nations (UN) and
the European Union (EU), have shifted from broad-based sanctions to more targeted
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Maroon MUN Impact of economic sanctions on citizens Nov 15-16, 2024
measures, often referred to as "smart sanctions" or "targeted sanctions." These are
designed to focus specifically on political leaders, businesses, or sectors that support a
regime, rather than the entire country. For example:
- Asset freezes and travel bans on key political figures or entities responsible for
harmful activities.
- Sector-specific sanctions, which limit the export of goods like weapons or technology
used for oppression, rather than essential consumer products.
Efforts are increasingly being made to ensure that economic sanctions do not block the
delivery of humanitarian aid to affected populations. Organizations like the UN Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have worked to implement
humanitarian exemptions for food, medicine, and other essential goods. However,
issues persist due to the difficulty in navigating these exemptions amid complex sanction
regulations.
International bodies, including the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC), have conducted assessments to better understand the humanitarian impact of
sanctions. Reports from these organizations provide data on how sanctions affect
ordinary citizens, helping to adjust policies and highlight areas where assistance is
needed.
There have been instances where sanctions have been revised or lifted altogether in
response to significant humanitarian concerns or progress made by the sanctioned
country in addressing international demands. For example, the U.S. and EU occasionally
lift certain restrictions when target countries make concessions on issues like human
rights or disarmament.
- South Sudan: In 2022, the UN Security Council renewed sanctions on South Sudan
but included discussions about the need to reduce the humanitarian toll on civilians.
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Maroon MUN Impact of economic sanctions on citizens Nov 15-16, 2024
VIII. QUESTIONS:
1. How can sanctions be designed to effectively pressure governments while
minimizing harm to civilian populations?
2. What role should humanitarian exemptions play in sanction regimes, and how can
they be effectively implemented?
3. How can the international community ensure that targeted sanctions do not
unintentionally affect vulnerable groups within society?
4. What mechanisms can be established to regularly assess the humanitarian impact
of sanctions and adjust them accordingly?
5. How can diplomatic efforts be integrated with sanctions to foster dialogue and
resolve underlying conflicts?
6. In what ways can local civil society organizations be involved in the planning and
implementation of sanctions to better address humanitarian needs?
7. How can international legal frameworks protect humanitarian workers delivering
aid in sanctioned countries?
8. What lessons can be learned from past sanctions that have had severe
humanitarian consequences, and how can these inform future policies?
9. How can the media and public awareness campaigns influence the formulation
and perception of sanctions?
10. What post-sanction recovery strategies should be considered to ensure a smooth
transition for affected populations once sanctions are lifted?
IX. REFERENCES:
- F Rodríguez - Journal of Economic Studies, 2024
https://www.cepr.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Human-Consequences-of-
Economic-Sanctions-Rodriguez.pdf
- K4D Helpdesk Report (Institute of Development, 2017
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https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/286048088.pdf
- F Kokabisaghi - International journal of health policy , 2018
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5953521/
- J Galtung - World politics, 1967 - cambridge.org
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/world-politics/article/abs/on-the-effects-of-
international-economic-sanctions-with-examples-from-the-case-of-
rhodesia/DDDFF52DDBD2EBA7A16FADAEB2ADBB92
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