Unilateral Sanctions Undermine Human Rights and Food Security Worldwide

Strategic Insights -

The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva revealed the devastating impact of unilateral sanctions on human rights and food security, with experts warning of the need for more effective humanitarian exceptions and monitoring of the consequences of these measures. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tèrck, UN Special Rapporteur Elena Dovgan, and professor Robert Huish emphasized that sanctions against entire sectors of the economy pose significant threats to life support systems, disrupting access to basic necessities like food, medicine, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tèrck stressed that sanctions must fully comply with international law, including human rights law, and that targeted measures can be used to exert pressure for peace and the protection of civilians.
  • However, Tèrck noted that sanctions against entire sectors of the economy pose threats to life support, disrupting health and education systems, and undermining access to housing, work, and social protection.
  • UN Special Rapporteur Elena Dovgan highlighted that humanitarian exceptions are often ineffective and misleading, leading to disruptions in access to water, electricity, transport, and fuel, which in turn affects sustainable agricultural development.
  • Dovgan underlined that the restrictions are affecting the supply of seeds, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and vaccines for animals, and that food prices are rising sharply.
  • Robert Huish, a professor at Dalhousie University, compared sanctions to "a glassblower taking up a sledgehammer," emphasizing their devastating impact on food security.
  • Huish cited examples of the 50 percent rise in global fertilizer prices following Russian restrictions and disruptions in Ukrainian grain exports contributing to a historic high in the UN food price index in 2022.
  • The experts called on states to ensure effective humanitarian exceptions, monitoring of the consequences of restrictive measures, and special protection for vulnerable groups – women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
  • The right to food is fundamental, and states cannot justify its violation by the actions of private companies.
  • The participants in the discussion emphasized that sanctions that undermine food security are contrary to international law and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Statistics:

  • The UN food price index rose to a historic high in 2022.
  • Global fertilizer prices rose by 50 percent following Russian restrictions.
  • Restrictions on Ukrainian grain exports contributed to the rise of the UN food price index.
  • An estimated 50% of the global population are negatively affected by unilateral sanctions.
  • 75% of countries have imposed unilateral coercive measures.

Sources:

  • "Unilateral sanctions, excessive use undermines human rights, food security, say Geneva meeting participants." UN News (https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1012841)
  • "Volker Tèrck." UN Human Rights (https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/meetings/60th-session)
  • "Elena Dovgan." UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures (https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/meetings/60th-session)
  • "Robert Huish." Dalhousie University (https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/departments-and-centres/anthropology.html)