Abstract
The use of unilateral economic sanctions has long been pursued by many nations as a tool to influence the behaviour of other nations. Such behaviour is sometimes considered justified by an enacting country, on grounds of national security or to express displeasure with internal policies of a third country. Usually the enactment of such unilateral sanctions is purely based on political imperatives and has very little to do with economic realities. It is a stick as opposed to a carrot, aimed at influencing the behaviour of another country. While such measures may seem to be more commonplace today, they have been used and resisted for decades. From unilateral measures against Cuba, to South Africa, Russia and Iran, it is often trade measures that are used for political means. The question that arises is how legitimate is it to use such measures in international law? This practice is indeed...