Sanction regime of the UN security council under international law

Abstract EN

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is a unique institution.

It exercises legislative and executive powers and it is the most active organ of the United Nations.

The Security Council has primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security in line with objective and principles of UN Charter.

Under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council can adopt mandatory measures to maintain or restore international peace and security.

Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions and its resolutions are binding for all UN member states.

The sanctions contribute to the enforcement of international law since they have punitive nature and require states to respect human rights, to refrain from their wrongful acts and comply with international law through altering their policies and political behaviours by ceasing fire, ending hostilities and withdrawing from foreign territories.

Accordingly, the actions of the Security Council have international law implications.

Despite the fact that the Security Council empowered to impose sanctions, this does not mean that the Security Council has absolute power and free from any limits, there are many international law limits and constrains on Security Council power to impose sanctions.