Chapter 15 - Annex 1: Reducing the Negative Humanitarian Impact of Sanctions

“Let me conclude by saying that the humanitarian situation in Iraq poses a serious moral dilemma for this Organization. The United Nations has always been on the side of the vulnerable and the weak and has always sought to relieve suffering. Yet here we are accused of causing suffering to an entire population.

“In deed, the Council should seek every opportunity to alleviate the suffering of the population. For after all, they are not the intended targets of sanctions.”

Secretary General Kofi Annan, 24 March 2000,
addressing the Security Council at its 4120^th Meeting
to deliver his Report (S/2000/208) on the
situation between Iraq and Kuwait

“In the interests of children, sanctions should not be imposed without obligatory, immediate and enforceable humanitarian exemptions, along with mechanisms for monitoring their impact on children and other vulnerable groups. ... We believe that child-impact assessments are central to this and should be carried out before, during and after sanctions are imposed.”

Executive Director Carol Bellamy
addressing the Security Council
in February 1999

“I would recall Article 3 from the Convention of the Rights of the Child, which sets out that in all actions concerning children... the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration... I urge that the protection of the rights of the Iraqi children and the primacy of their best interests be treated as a central principle in the on-going dialogue between the international community and Government of Iraq.”

Executive Director Carol Bellamy
addressing the Security Council
in October 1999

“The fact that basic humanitarian needs are being met through hand-outs does not contribute to stimulate the economy and has an indirect negative impact on agriculture, while increasing State control over a population.

“Foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, as well as basic or standard medical and agricultural equipment and basic or standard educational items included in a list of exempted humanitarian supplies, pre-approved by the 661 Committee ... should be contracted and procured ... without any requirement for approval or notification to the 661 Committee.

“International organizations and NGOs should be encouraged to provide published materials of an educational character to Iraq. Greater access to the international media and to imported publications in general should be promoted. Additional measures aimed at reducing the isolation of Iraqi educators, health care providers, students and others should also be considered.

“The Government of Iraq should address effectively the needs of vulnerable groups in the Center/South, especially those of street children, the disabled, the elderly and the mentally ill, among others, and allow freer access to UN agencies and recognizably impartial and bona fide NGOSs from restricted areas and sections of populations for adequate evaluation of their nutritional and general humanitarian condition.”

Report of the Second Panel Established Pursuant
to the note by the President of the Security Council
of 30 January 1999 (S/1999/100),
Concerning the Current Humanitarian Situation in Iraq
(Annex II of S/1999/356)

“The potential long-term benefits of sanctions should be weighted against the immediate and long-term costs to children, including the collapse of health and education infrastructures, reduced economic opportunities and increased child labor in informal sectors, increased infant morbidity and mortality.

“When imposing measures under Article 41 of the Charter, the Security Council is urged to develop a coordinated and integrated approach to minimize unintended consequences on civilian populations, especially children, primarily through the establishment of effective, humanitarian exemptions. To this end, the Council could consider authorizing assessment missions to the targeted states and neighboring countries before sanctions are imposed, with the aim of assessing the likely unintended consequences of sanctions and proposing appropriate measures to minimize such consequences and effective monitoring measures.

“When adopting measures under Article 41 of the Charter, the Security Council is urged to reaffirm the responsibility of targeted States and armed groups to ensure the humanitarian protection of all those under their control, particularly children.”

Report of the Secretary General
on Children and Armed Conflict
(S/2000/712)