Red Cross welcomes UN sanctions change

Australian Red Cross welcomes a landmark UN Security Council resolution which will ensure life-changing humanitarian aid can be delivered to countries subjected to sanctions.

The resolution addresses the needs of people in dire need of humanitarian assistance by making it clear that UN sanctions should not prevent impartial humanitarian organisations from delivering assistance.

Once implemented, this resolution will significantly assist the humanitarian work of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This includes the operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to which UN sanctions apply in nine of their top ten operations.

“Historically, UN financial sanctions have delayed or blocked humanitarian assistance as governments, financial institutions and donors place strict requirements on humanitarian organisations working in crisis affected areas,” said Adrian Prouse, Head of International Programs at Australian Red Cross.

“This resolution will make it easier for humanitarian actors, like the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, to help millions of people affected by ongoing crises around the world,” he said.

“This resolution also clarifies that sanctions should not hinder activities outlined in international humanitarian law, which applies during armed conflict to protect people who are not part of the fight and protects their access to impartial humanitarian relief.” said Kylie Leach, Acting Director of International Humanitarian Law.

“This clarity is now more important than ever, as more sanctions are being applied in areas impacted by armed conflict,” said Ms Leach.

“In these areas, it is critical people have timely access to assistance like medical care and essential supplies,” she said.

“Australian Red Cross is encouraged by the quick response of the Australian Government to a similar Security Council resolution on UN sanctions against the Afghan authorities in 2021. We would welcome an equally swift response from Australia on this resolution,” she said.

“We call on the Australian Government to include similar protections for humanitarian assistance in their autonomous sanctions laws, which are not tied to UN resolutions but have similar unintended consequences on the delivery of humanitarian aid,” she said.