UNGA78: ELIMINATION OF UNILATERAL EXTRATERRITORIAL COERCIVE ECONOMIC MEASURES AS A MEANS OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC COMPULSION - ITEM 28
13 June 2024
Statement by H.E. Ms Rebecca Bryant, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
Thank you, Vice President,
I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, and my own country, Australia.
Canada and Australia reject the claim that autonomous sanctions are illegitimate or illegal.
Canada and Australia apply autonomous sanctions judiciously, transparently, and consistently with international law, including the UN Charter.
Autonomous sanctions aim to deter and prevent the very behaviours that pose a threat to international peace and security – including human rights violations and abuses, serious corruption, and to restrict the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The UN Charter recognises that there are times when sanctions are necessary to address threats to global peace and security.
By imposing autonomous sanctions, Member States send a clear signal that policies and behaviours that violate international rules, norms and conduct will not be tolerated.
Vice President,
Canada and Australia also challenge the claim that contemporary autonomous sanctions disproportionately impact vulnerable people.
Our sanctions target regimes that give little consideration to the needs of their people.
And sanctions target entities that carry out crimes where the victims are everyday people in our communities.
When Canada and Australia implement targeted sanctions measures, we strive to minimise any adverse consequences for civilian populations and for legitimate business and humanitarian activities.
We work closely with the private sector and humanitarian partners to ensure that humanitarian aid can be delivered effectively in contexts where sanctions apply. And we stand ready to address any legitimate concerns in this regard.
Vice President,
Canada and Australia expect the UN Security Council to lead on applying and monitoring the implementation of sanctions regimes it has adopted.
But where the Council is blocked from responding to egregious behaviour, including violations of the UN Charter, we look to a broader set of tools to ensure that regimes and terrorists cannot benefit from international crimes.
Sanctions are one of a suite of tools we use to respond to situations of international concern.
Australia and Canada note with deep concern attempts to circumvent and undermine UN sanctions regimes.
We deplore Russia’s recent actions to undermine the effectiveness of sanctions regimes adopted unanimously by the Council - including vetoing the mandate extension for the Panel of Experts central to upholding the UN sanctions regime against the DPRK.
All Member States have a responsibility to implement Security Council resolutions, and Permanent Members have an even higher duty to do so.
Finally, Vice President,
Canada and Australia are deeply concerned that this debate continues to divert attention away from pressing international issues.
Criticisms of autonomous sanctions are too often a deliberate effort to distract attention from breaches of international peace and security, serious human rights violations, weapons proliferation, and terrorism – by perpetrators of those violations and threats.
We urge all Member States to focus on the fundamental need to promote respect for the UN Charter and international law.
Thank you.