Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 12, 2025 International law
Unilateral sanctions and their excessive use undermine human rights and food security for millions of people. This is the conclusion reached by participants in a meeting held in Geneva as part of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Volker Türk: Sanctions pose threats to the population
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stressed that "any sanctions must fully comply with international law, including human rights law."
He noted that targeted measures – such as arms embargoes or asset freezes on individuals involved in serious human rights abuses – can be used to exert pressure for peace and the protection of civilians. However, he said, 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.
Turk paid special attention to the problem of “over-compliance” – when companies or financial institutions, fearing reputational or legal risks, block even operations that are not subject to sanctions. This leads to disruption of food, medicine and agricultural supplies.
"Sanctions should never be used to collectively punish people," he said, calling on countries to lift sectoral restrictions affecting food and agricultural products.
Türk also spoke out against measures aimed at mechanisms created to combat impunity. In this context, he called on Russia to withdraw the arrest warrant for a senior International Criminal Court (ICC) official, and the United States to lift sanctions imposed on ICC officials and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Special Rapporteur Elena Dovgan: Humanitarian exceptions are not respected
The UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures, Elena Dovgan, called the existing humanitarian exemptions “ineffective and often misleading.” She said the sanctions and the “hyper-compliance” that comes with them undermine access to water, electricity, transport and fuel, making sustainable agricultural development impossible.
She stressed that the restrictions are affecting the supply of seeds, fertilizers, agricultural machinery and vaccines for animals, and that food prices are rising sharply. "In conditions of food shortages, women sacrifice themselves for the sake of children and men, which increases the risk of domestic violence," Dovgan said.
The expert recalled that the right to food is fundamental, and states cannot justify its violation by the actions of private companies.
Robert Huish: The Glass Hammer of Sanctions
Robert Huish, a professor at Canada's Dalhousie University, compared sanctions to "a glassblower taking up a sledgehammer." He said that despite the introduction of so-called "smart" sanctions, their impact on food security remains devastating.
He cited examples: a 50 percent rise in global fertilizer prices following restrictions imposed on Russia, and disruptions in Ukrainian grain exports that contributed to the rise of the UN food price index to a historic high in 2022.
Huish stressed that the most vulnerable groups suffer first: “Women have to spend more time searching for food, and dependence on local proteins increases the risk of malnutrition.” According to him, sanctions “always cause humanitarian harm”, even if their authors do not intend it.
The right to food is more important than political calculations
The participants in the discussion believe that sanctions that undermine food security are contrary to international law and the Sustainable Development Goals. They 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.
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