International sanctions have become a key element in contemporary international relations. These are coercive measures applied against states, non-state entities or individuals that pose a threat to international peace and security. The objectives pursued are to modify an actor's behaviour, to diminish their capacity to manoeuvre or weaken its position, and to publicly denounce those actors that pose a threat to international peace and security. Sanctions are primarily preventive in nature and should be proportionate. They are used as an alternative to the use of armed force.
In order to avoid adverse effects on third parties, sanctions are, to the extent possible, targeted against specific individuals or entities and must always be in accordance with international law and human rights. Examples include economic and trade measures (such as an arms embargo), financial measures, or individual sanctions, such as a ban on entry to a state or the freezing of assets.
There are currently three main bodies involved in the imposition of sanctions: United Nations, the European Union and the OSCE.
Chapter VII of the UN Charter provides the legal basis for the imposition of coercive measures within the United Nations. The Security Council is the body empowered to take measures not involving the use of armed force, with the ultimate objective of maintaining or restoring international peace and security. The most frequent sanctions regimes are those aimed at non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, counter-terrorism, conflict resolution or support for democratic regimes
Sanctions regimes adopted by the United Nations
Within the European Union, restrictive measures are a key tool of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and are used to defend its strategic interests and protect its fundamental objectives abroad. There can be three types of measures: transposition of measures agreed in the UN framework, complementary measures to those adopted by the UN, or measures adopted on their own initiative. EU sanctions are adopted unanimously by a Council Decision in the scope of CFSP, which is binding in its entirety on all Member States. If the decision provides for the reduction or interruption of all or part of economic and financial relations with a third country, an EU Regulation shall be adopted by qualified majority on a joint proposal by the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In practice, however, approval is by consensus.
European Union Sanctions
Finally, in the OSCE area, embargoes can be imposed on the purchase and sale of defence and dual-use material
Competent Spanish authorities
It is up to the competent authorities of the Member States to implement and enforce international sanctions through national measures.
Competent National Authorities
EU Sanctions Whistleblower Tool
Blocking Statute mechanism against territorial effects of Third State sanctions
Legal instruments
Guidance note
The European Commission has launched an online platform that allows any citizen or operator to report facts, circumstances, individuals or entities that may be involved in past, present, future or attempted violations of sanctions adopted by the European Union. Through this platform, the Commission guarantees the anonymity of the complainant.