Files
Abstract
The close linkage between the two issues, economic sanctions and human rights, represents the nature of the relationship between states, namely the core terms of interests and values. When economic sanctions occur, they do not simply imply a change in the balance of power between different states, but also involve the encounter of different political ideas and human rights theories, and in turn affect the construction of the global order. It is important for the global order and global human rights governance to consider the application and effect of international law in the past and present. Economic sanctions have had a negative impact on the economic and social development of sovereign states, posed a humanitarian threat to the right to life and health of civilians in general, and seriously affected the rights of specific groups. The international community generally considers "comprehensive sanctions" as "dumb sanctions" that cause harm and lead to economic costs for the state, and even make it difficult to achieve the desired diplomatic goals. Therefore, the United Nations and sovereign states imposing unilateral sanctions have begun to make adjustments and explore "smart sanctions", targeting the leaders, top figures and individuals or groups supporting the sanctioned regime or group, in order to minimize the negative impact on "vulnerable groups" and third parties. Although "smart sanctions" pose less risk to human rights, there is a tendency to move back to comprehensive sanctions for their ineffective policies. What is even more worrying is that as "smart sanctions" develop more widely and deeply, the distinction between them and comprehensive sanctions becomes blurred, and they sometimes take on the appearance of "smart sanctions" but are actually comprehensive sanctions.