Different type of sanctions imposed by UN:
1. The United Nations has always preferred to try first non-binding persuasive methods to keep peace among nations.It does not mean that the United Nations cannot do, or has not done,anything in case countries ignore the advice of the United Nations and become a threat to world peace.
2. The Security Council has the power to impose "sanctions" against a threatening country or government so that peace is restored without the need for armed/military action. These "nonmilitary sanctions", when decided by the Security Council are to be compulsorily implemented by all member countries of the United Nations.
3. "Sanctions" are strong steps taken to isolate and punish a country that becomes a menace to peace. Sanctions do not mean use of military force.
4. Security Council's non-military sanctions could mean cutting off diplomatic relations between the targeted country and the rest of the world, curbing sale of arms and ammunition, banning imports and exports of any and all items like oil, medicines, etc. and freezing bank deposits in foreign countries.
5. These steps are aimed to ensure that the target country stops its objectionable activity.
6. The United Nations has imposed binding non-military sanctions some 25 times so far. One of the first cases of such sanctions occurred against South Africa.
7. South Africa refused to abide by the repeated advice of the international community to end its policy of racial discrimination against the Blacks,the Indians and coloured people residing in that country.
8. A compulsory ban on supply of weapons imposed in 1977 to compel South Africa to end its policy of racial discrimination. was
9. Other methods like banning from international sports were also used. South Africa finally had to bow to the wishes of the world when it ended its racial discrimination called apartheid in 1994.
10. In one of the remarkable instances, the United Nations imposed wide ranging sanctions against Iraq which attacked and occupied neighbouring Kuwait in 1990.
11. Sale and purchase of oil was prohibited,food and other essential needs were denied,communication and transport links were cut and accounts in foreign banks were sealed.
12. These actions had a major impact on Iraq and its people for a very long time. Similarly the United Nations launched sanctions against many terrorist organisations to deny them any funding. This step was taken after the terrorist attacks against the United States of America on September 11,2001.
13. Remember that United Nations sanctions against wrong-doers have not achieved the desired results. It seems terrorists continue to get funds secretly in spite of sanctions.
