Sanctions have been referred to by the United Nations as a “tool for all seasons.” The rationale behind the imposition of economic sanctions is the hope to solve a conflict without mass suffering and other negative consequences associated with war. Thus sanctions are situated in lieu of warfare. Protagonist of sanctions perceive the measure to be a soft approach capable of compelling or pressuring an offender, mostly the government of a State to behave in line with the doctrine of the international community or the body imposing sanctions. Available empirical evidence shows that in general, sanctions have not been able to achieve its goals; instead their outcomes affect human security negatively. Against the humanitarian consequences of sanctions, the measure still maintains a favourable position in the “tool kit” of international diplomacy. Concerned by lack of sufficient understanding of the grave human suffering that arises from economic sanctions, this book seek to fill this information gap. Using Zimbabwe as a case study, this book analysis the impact of sanctions on the human rights and well-being of the civilian population, particularly their impact on the vulnerable groups within the Zimbabwean societies. Although sanctions have become a norm in international relations, this book queries the compatibility of sanctions with international humanitarian law and other human rights treaties and conventions. It serves to awaken policy makers, politico-socio-economic analysts, researchers and global citizens on how sanctions violate basic human rights of civilians and put their well-being and social mobility in stagnant danger.
Table of Contents
1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Research Problem
Objectives of study
Research questions
Methodology
Chapter Arrangements
2. AN INTRODUCTION TO SANCTIONS AND SANCTION REGIMES
2. 1.Introduction
2.1.1. History of sanctions
2.1.2. Definitions of sanction
2.1.3. Types of sanctions
2.1.3.1. Comprehensive sanctions
2.1.3.2. Targeted sanctions
2.1.3.3. Major challenges of UN targeted Economic Sanctions
2.1.3.4. Arms embargoes
2.1.3.5. Restrictions on admission (Visa or travel ban)
2.1.3.6. Unilateral sanctions
2.1.3.7. Economic sanctions
2.2. The basis for economic sanctions in the UN Charter
2.2.1. The purposes of economic sanctions
2.2.1.1. Coercion
2.2.1.2. Punishment
2.2.1.3. Symbolism
2.2.1.4. Signalling
2.2.2. Characteristics of UNSC economic sanctions
2.2.2.1. Binding and supreme
2.2.2.2. Politics and self-interest
2.2.2.3. Media driven
2.3. Ambiguity in UNSC economic sanctions
2.3.1. Counting successes and failures; argument of the sanctions advocates
2.3.2. Employing sanctions as a tool of regime change
2.3.3. Economic Sanctions as neo-colonialism
2.3.4. Major criticisms of UNSC Sanctions
2.3.4.1. Ethical dilemma
2.3.4.2. Double standards
2.3.4.3. Missing legal and constitutional concept
2.3.4.4. Lack of effectiveness
2.4. Economic Sanctions: changing perceptions and euphemisms
2.4.1. Brief history of the debate on economic sanctions
2.4.2. Economic sanctions debate in the 1930’s
2.4.3. Economic sanctions debate in the 1960’s to 80’s
2.4.4. Economic sanctions debate after 1990
2.4.5. How economic sanction goals are achieved
2.4.6. The mechanisms of economic sanctions
2.4.7. Understanding the real targets of economic sanctions
2.4.8. A review of the euphemisms of sanctions
2.4.8.1. Target State
2.4.8.2. Coalescing a population with its leader
2.4.8.3. The concept of “Collateral” effects
2.4.8.4. Humanitarian exemptions
2.4.9. Economic sanctions: theoretical considerations
2.4.10. Comments and opinions on the determination and use of sanctions
3. THE POSITION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW AND THE ROLE OF THEORIES
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1. Overview of human rights
3.1.1.1. Economic and social rights
3.1.1.2. Civil and political rights
3.1.1.3. Right to life
3.1.1.4. Right to freedom from torture
3.1.1.5. Right to an effective remedy
3.1.2. The right to development
3.1.2.1. The US objection to the right to development
3.2. Economic sanctions and human rights protection
3.2.1. Limits of economic sanctions under the UN Charter
3.2.2. Limits of economic sanctions under international law
3.2.3. Unilateral sanctions in international law
3.2.4. Human rights and State(s) responsibility
3.3. Theories of international relations and States interaction
3.3.1. Realism theory
3.3.2. Liberalism theory
3.3.3. Institutionalism theory
3.3.4. Hegemonic stability theory
3.3.5. Balance of power theory
3.3.6. Constructivism theory
3.3.7. Democratic peace theory
3.3.7. 1. A critique of democratic peace theory
3.3.8. Cosmopolitanism theory
3.3.9. New war theory
3.3.10. Imperialism theory
3.3.11. Dependency theory
4. SANCTIONS; FROM RHODESIA TO ZIMBABWE
4.1. Introduction
4.1.1. Southern Rhodesia: An “ideal” target of UN economic sanctions?
4.1.2. A brief historical overview of Rhodesia
4.1.3. The use of suppressive racist policies
4.1.4. Unilateral declaration of independence (UDI); followed by sanctions
4.1.5. The UN economic sanctions
4.1.6. Self-determination in context
4.1.7. Initial difficulties faced by sanctions
4.1.7.1. Sanctions breaches by Portugal and South Africa
4.1.7.2. Sanctions breaches by the United States and the United Kingdom
4.1.7.3. Sanctions breaches by Zambia
4.1.8. Adaptation of the economy
4.2. Towards democracy and independence
4.2.1. The Matabeleland crisis that lasted within 1982 to 1987
4.2.2. The Unity Accord
4.2.3. Shortfall of the 1987 Unity Accord
4.2.4. Crisis and challenges of the 1990’s
4.2.5. Developments since 2000
4.2.6. Foreign intervention
4.3. Misconceptions and ambiguities: Overview of the US and the EU sanctions
4.3.1. Determination of US sanctions on Zimbabwe: Economic or Targeted sanctions?
4.3.2. The EU sanctions on Zimbabwe: Restrictive Measures or Economic sanctions?
4.4. General Impact of economic sanctions on Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans
4.4.1. Effects of sanctions on Zimbabwe’s economy and rights of civilians
4.4.1.1. Right to healthcare
4.4.1.2. Right to education
4.4.1.3. Right to life and quality of life
4.4.1.3.1. Inflation
4.4.2. Multilateral financial institutions funding and their impact on well-being
4.4.2.1. African Development Bank (AfDB)
4.4.2.2. The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
4.4.2.3. World Bank
4.4.2.4. Foreign direct investment (FDI)
4.5. Social impact of sanctions on Zimbabwe
4.5.1. Gender based violence
4.6. A Paradigm shift, Zimbabwe’s “looks East Policy”
Research Objectives and Themes
This work examines the impact of US and EU-imposed sanctions on the well-being of the civilian population in Zimbabwe, seeking to understand whether these coercive measures actually contribute to democratic transition or merely exacerbate the suffering of ordinary citizens. The study investigates the mechanisms of these sanctions, their consistency with international human rights law, and their efficacy as a diplomatic tool versus the humanitarian reality.
- Analysis of the political history of sanction episodes in Zimbabwe and Rhodesia.
- Evaluation of international relations theories, including Realism, Liberalism, and Dependency theory in the context of global sanctions.
- Investigation of the humanitarian consequences of sanctions, specifically concerning healthcare, education, and inflation.
- Critical assessment of the "Look East Policy" as a strategic response to Western economic isolation.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Introduction
Sanctions have been referred to by the United Nations as a “tool for all seasons.” They are often seen as alternative to military action, aimed to control the excesses of an offender, which is usually a State government or an individual. There are different forms of sanctions, including economic, social and political forms. A broad and continuously growing range of situations have been determined by the United Nations Security Council as threatening or breaching international peace and security, thereby favouring the use of sanctions. The Security Council, while occasionally authorizing the use of military force has changed its strategy to employ non-military measures in order to enforce compliance with its decisions. This development facilitated the imposition of sanctions as deterrence. Sanctions have been imposed on different countries for different reasons. Examples include the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq and the purported discovery of the latter’s arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. Also, the United Nations, the EU and the United States imposed sanctions on the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia because of its role in escalating the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 1990’s.
Furthermore, sanctions have been imposed on countries for their support of international terrorism. Examples are UN sanctions imposed on Libya in 1992 for supporting terrorism and terrorist groups such as the Irish Republican Army; the Basque separatist group ETA; Sierra Leone’s Revolutionary United Front (Council on Foreign Relations, 2005); similar sanctions were also imposed on Sudan by the United States in 1997 and the UN in 2005 for supporting Janjaweed; and Afghanistan in 1999 for supporting the Taliban. In other cases, sanctions have been imposed due to violence and civil wars in countries such as Somalia, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Furthermore, the breakdown of democratic governance in Haiti, coupled with massive human rights violations has led to the imposition of sanctions on the country.
Summary of Chapters
1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the research context, focusing on Zimbabwe's historical exposure to sanctions and the central question of whether these measures effectively protect human rights or unintentionally inflict widespread civilian harm.
2. AN INTRODUCTION TO SANCTIONS AND SANCTION REGIMES: This chapter provides a foundational overview of sanction definitions, types, and their historical evolution, while critically evaluating their intended purposes like coercion, punishment, and symbolism within the UN framework.
3. THE POSITION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW AND THE ROLE OF THEORIES: This chapter analyzes the legal compatibility of economic sanctions with international human rights standards and reviews IR theories such as Realism and Liberalism to understand why states employ these coercive instruments.
4. SANCTIONS; FROM RHODESIA TO ZIMBABWE: This chapter applies the previously established framework to the specific case of Zimbabwe, tracing the transition from colonial Rhodesia, analyzing the impact of US and EU sanctions, and evaluating alternative economic strategies like the “Look East Policy.”
Keywords
Economic sanctions, Zimbabwe, human rights, United Nations Security Council, ZIDERA, foreign policy, international relations theories, humanitarian impact, regime change, multilateral financial institutions, unilateral sanctions, inflation, sovereignty, aid conditionality, Look East Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
This research primarily focuses on analyzing the impact of US and EU economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and how these measures affect the fundamental rights and well-being of the ordinary Zimbabwean civilian population.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The book covers the history and definition of sanctions, their legality under international law, the influence of international relations theories on sanction policy, and the specific socio-economic consequences for Zimbabwe, including healthcare deterioration, inflation, and education challenges.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The primary goal is to provide a scholarly assessment of whether these sanctions successfully foster democracy or if they merely serve as an instrument of economic warfare that marginalizes vulnerable populations.
Which research methodologies are employed?
The study utilizes a qualitative and quantitative case study methodology, combining primary interviews with affected individuals, demographic questionnaires, and an extensive review of secondary sources like academic journals, legal documents, and news media.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The main sections address the mechanisms of UN sanctions, the influence of political power in the Security Council, the critique of "targeted" versus "economic" sanctions, and the specific impact of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA).
What are the essential keywords associated with this publication?
The key concepts include economic sanctions, human rights, international relations, ZIDERA, regime change, foreign policy, and the socio-political development of Zimbabwe.
How does the author characterize the US and EU sanctions against Zimbabwe?
The author argues that while officially framed as "targeted" or "restrictive measures" intended to support democracy, these sanctions function in practice as broad economic tools that have triggered severe economic collapse and unintended humanitarian crises for the average citizen.
What is the significance of the "Look East Policy" highlighted in the conclusion?
The author discusses the "Look East Policy" as a strategic reaction by the Zimbabwean government to mitigate the economic damage caused by Western sanctions, seeking alternative financial and trade partnerships with Eastern powers like China to avoid complete isolation.
- Quote paper
- Masters Chidiebere C. Ogbonna (Author), 2015, Politics of sanctions. Impact of US and EU sanctions on the rights and well-being of Zimbabweans, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/302252
