The Limitation of Time and Scope: A Step towards the Humanization of Sanctions

The imposition of comprehensive sanctions by targeting the whole population in a sanctioned State causes a wide range of problems for the people and particularly the weak groups of society. To limit the time and the scope of sanctions is a method to reduce negative consequences of sanctions, specifically comprehensive ones. In other words, determining time limits as well as objective and subjective limitations for sanctions will pave the way to the humanization of sanctions. The reason for the inclusion of the abovementioned limitations is that the people who have no role in the conduct or the policy triggering sanctions, should not bear the negative consequences thereof. This rule stems from the international humanitarian law principle of distinction according to which sanctions should reasonably involve the maximum distinction between the responsible elites and ordinary people. Evidently, the compliance of this principle will only be successful when the efficiency of sanctions program is guaranteed on the basis of its international legitimacy and relying on widespread cooperation among States and international organizations during the implementation of sanctions along with continuous evaluation of their effects on the people of the targeted State. In the present essay, the notion, classification, the inclusion of limitation clauses and the effects of those mechanisms strengthening the humanitarian aspects of sanction will be studied.