GENEVA (February 8, 2024) - UN experts* today urged the United States to review its national framework that triggers targeted sanctions against designated State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST).
Currently, four countries - the Republic of Cuba, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Syrian Arab Republic - appear on this list of the US State Department, which are imposed additional restrictions as a result of the designation.
"The unilateral designation itself goes against the fundamental principles of international law, including the principle of sovereign equality of States, the prohibition of intervention in the internal affairs of States and the principle of peaceful settlement of international disputes," stated the experts. They recalled that these principles constitute universally recognized peremptory norms of international law.
"Fundamental human rights, including the right to food, the right to health, the right to education, economic and social rights, the right to life and the right to development, are negatively affected by restrictions and additional prohibitions raised by SST designations," the experts said.
"Furthermore, the process by which the designation is made is unclear and non-transparent. Relevant US legislative instruments exacerbate fear and uncertainty, and establish or reinforce over-compliance among humanitarian and other actors who may wish to establish relations or operate in the territory of the designated country," they stated. "The designation particularly affects countries already subject to other unilateral coercive measures and has potential catastrophic humanitarian and human rights repercussions."
Experts have previously expressed concern about the negative repercussions of excessive compliance with US government regulations. The additional restrictions and unilateral sanctions of SST designations create a chilling effect, blocking access to designated countries. "This complete isolation of the designated state sponsor of terrorism may adversely affect the delivery of essential goods, such as food, medicine, medical equipment and other supplies, including humanitarian goods under UN Security Council humanitarian resolutions." , experts warned.
"We urge the United States to fully comply with its international obligations, including extraterritorially," the experts noted.
They called on the US Government to comprehensively review the current SST designation framework, bringing it within the authority of the UN Security Council, as established by the United Nations Charter. Pending its elimination, the United States must take steps to avoid negative humanitarian repercussions, experts said.
Experts have communicated with the United States Government about this issue.
*The experts: Alena Douhan, special rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights; Michael Fakhri, special rapporteur on the right to food; Attiya Waris, independent expert on external debt, other international financial obligations and human rights; Cecilia M. Bailliet, independent expert on human rights and international solidarity; Livingstone Sewanyana, independent expert on promoting a democratic and equitable international order.
Taken from CubaMinrex