Sanctions Explained

What is a sanction? 

A sanction is an official order, such as the stopping of trade, that is taken against a country in order to make it obey international law. Sanctions have become a common tool in foreign relations, peacekeeping and conflict resolution.

Types of sanctions

Economic sanctions are commercial and financial penalties that typically ban customary trade and financial relations. They can include restrictions on the export of goods from a sanctioned country and the blocking of a sanctioned country’s ports.

Other types of sanctions can include environmental sanctions, sport sanctions, military sanctions and diplomatic sanctions.

Origins of sanctions

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) established the first sanctions regime on Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) more than 50 years ago. Since then, the global organisation has enacted 30 sanctions regimes; 14 of those are still in effect today. Many international bodies – such as Her Majesty’s Treasury in the UK, the FBI and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the US, and Interpol – or individual nations also follow the UNSC’s regimes. Some countries also enact their own sanctions lists related to specific regional threats or other national security considerations.

Organisations that administer sanctions legislation:

• The United Nations

• The European Union (EU) Council

• The Office of Financial Assets Control (OFAC)

• HM Treasury

• The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI)