The High Commissioner for Human Rights addresses the Human Rights Council’s use of sanctions and their potential harm to people’s lives. The High Commissioner raises crucial concerns about the unintended consequences of sanctions and emphasizes the need for a more balanced approach that upholds human rights principles.
The High Commissioner acknowledges the importance of sanctions as a tool to address human rights violations and promote accountability for those responsible. However, the primary concern lies in the collateral damage that often occurs when sanctions are imposed without careful consideration. These unintended consequences can lead to severe negative impacts on vulnerable populations, including restrictions on access to essential services such as healthcare, food, and education.
The High Commissioner highlights the critical need for sanctions to be carefully targeted and based on credible information. This involves conducting thorough assessments to identify and avoid adverse effects on innocent civilians, particularly those living in conflict zones or under repressive regimes. The High Commissioner urges the Human Rights Council to adopt a human rights-based approach when considering sanctions, ensuring that they do not exacerbate existing human rights violations or lead to humanitarian crises.
Additionally, the High Commissioner stresses the importance of monitoring and evaluating the impact of sanctions over time. Regular assessments can help adjust and refine sanctions to minimize harm and maximize their effectiveness in achieving their intended goals.
In summary, the High Commissioner for Human Rights underscores the necessity of a balanced and human rights-centered approach to sanctions imposed by the Human Rights Council. By carefully targeting sanctions, conducting thorough assessments, and monitoring their impact, the Council can better address human rights violations while minimizing harm to vulnerable populations.
By FCCT Editorial Team
, an independent military force, and allied militias in Sudan raped several dozen women and girls in West Darfur’s capital, El Geneina, and those fleeing to Chad between late April and late June 2023, Human Rights Watch said today. The assailants appear to have targeted people because of their Massalit ethnicity and, in some cases, because they were known activists.){kind=link}