As demonstrated in the chapters in this volume, unilateral sanctions are liable to undermine many well-established norms of international law, whether they are the rules of the law of the sea, human rights, freedom of aviation, the right of communications (including postal communications) , international environmental law, WTO law, international investment law, or regional economic integration treaties. The state which imposes unilateral sanctions against another state beyond the limits prescribed in international law runs the risk of violating the latter’s sovereignty and the provisions of bilateral, regional and international or multilateral treaties, and of undermining the cardinal principles of international law, including sovereign equality of states, peaceful coexistence and non-intervention or non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. Although the lawfulness of the use of economic and financial force or other forms of unilateral coercive measures has been a contested issue in international law, limitations have...