WASHINGTON D.C.– Economic sanctions are imposed to punish rogue regimes for international law violations. Unfortunately, innocent civilians receive the brunt of that punishment. Penalized regimes ultimately put their citizens most at risk when they choose not to cooperate with the international community. Economic sanctions block funds to rogue regimes by enforcing trade bans and freezing assets. They are meant to isolate rogue regimes and weaken the leaders. However, it is the civilians who are isolated and weakened. The strained economy can push them into poverty.
Economic sanctions cut off penalized countries from the rest of the world. An economy cannot thrive without exports and imports. Economic sanctions are especially damaging if placed on export-dependent economies. They have become a popular foreign policy choice in the punishment of rogue regimes such as Iran and Syria. Iran has sanctions from its violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Syria has been sanctioned for severe human rights violations.
Inflation is high in Iran and currency has devalued because of the economic sanctions on banks. Importers are losing their jobs now that imported goods are limited. Exporters cannot export goods at all. The manufacturing base in Iran is unable to be paid for all it does. Companies struggle because they are restricted to Iran. Iran used to be an active participant in the global economy. It is not built to thrive on its own as an isolated economy.
Economic sanctions are not designed to limit access to medicine. However, the banking sanctions impede the transferring of funds. Iranians cannot pay for medicine, therefore they must go without it. Iranian author Hooman Majd revealed he knew someone who passed away from cancer because of the inability to purchase medicine in Iran. Economic sanctions inadvertently blocked access to medicine and medical supplies for cancer patients. The inaccessibility of medicine and medical supplies can contribute to the spread of various diseases, thus threatening the little economic productivity Iran has left.
The U.S. has frozen all Syrian government assets and banned Syrian petroleum imports. Americans are also not allowed to conduct business with Syria. The E.U. added its own set of sanctions on Syria. Assets have been frozen and a ban has been placed on travel. The E.U. also restricted Syrian oil imports and oil production equipment exports with special consideration made for opposition forces to increase financing.
The Syrian people are much worse off than the Iranians. They are embroiled in a deadly civil war with sanctions squeezing their remaining resources. While export commodities and civilian technologies have been allowed in opposition force strongholds, the Syrian economy is in ruins. The Syrian economy depends on its oil exports for hard currency and state revenue. Syria is riddled with hyperinflation and its currency is only one-sixth its prewar value. Its foreign currency reserves have dropped from $18 billion to between $2 billion and $5 billion.
Civil war coupled with economic sanctions can crush an economy. Syria had a 48.79 percent unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2013. That is nearly half the population. Syrians have no source of income as they lose jobs, have to relocate and businesses close. The goods and services shortage and surging prices make it difficult for Syrians to survive. Basic needs like food, shelter, health and education have become a luxury.
Civilians are the unintended targets of economic sanctions. The economy diminishes and the country is isolated. Livelihoods and access to basic needs are lost. Rogue regimes should be penalized, but civilians must be protected from poverty.
– Brittany Mannings
Sources: NPR, Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, UNRWA
Photo: WPMU