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OHCHR 
Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures
About the mandate
On 26 September 2014, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 27/21 and Corr.1 on human rights and unilateral coercive measures, establishing the mandate. The most recent renewal of the resolution was on October 2023, HRC resolution 54/15. These resolutions stress that unilateral coercive measures and practices are contrary to international law, international humanitarian law, the UN Charter and the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among States, and highlights that on long-term, these measures may result in social problems and raise humanitarian concerns in the States targeted.
Highlighting the deep-rooted problems and grievances within the international system and in order to ensure multilateralism, mutual respect and the peaceful settlement of disputes, the Human Rights Council decided to create the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights.
Learn more about the mandate of the Special Rapporteur
Current mandate holder
Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Ms. Alena Douhan.
Professor Alena Douhan (Belarus) took up her functions on 25 March 2020. She is a professor of International Law, the Director of the Peace Research Center at the Belarusian State University (Belarus) and Associated member of the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict at Ruhr University Bochum. Her teaching and research interests are in the fields of international law, sanctions and human rights law, international security law, law of international organizations, international dispute settlement, and international environmental law. She has authored over 150 books and articles on various aspects of international law.
Calls for Input
Latest thematic reports
Latest country reports
Contact Information
Prof. Alena Douhan
Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneve 10
Switzerland
Email: hrc-sr-ucm@un.org
Activities
On 15 March 2024, the Special Rapporteur participated as keynote speaker in a seminar on “Unilateral Coercive Measures and International Law”, organised by the Observatório do Mundo Islámico (poster)
On 11 and 12 March 2024, the Special Rapporteur organised two expert consultations with practitioners and academia, on the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the access to justice. The purpose of these consultations was to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on this particular area, providing discussions which will ultimately feed in the preparation of the Special Rapporteur’s thematic report on this particular issue to be presented at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in October 2024.
On 13 March 2024, on the margins of the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur organised a side-event on the impact of UCMs on the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the work of humanitarian actors.
On 30 November, the Special Rapporteur participated in a Legal Forum on “Unilateral sanctions and their legal implications in the modern world”, held in Minsk, Belarus
On 27 November 2023, the Special Rapporteur participated in a high-level event on the margins of the 20th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The event focused on “Unilateral Coercive Measures and their Negative Impact on Socio-Economic Development of States” (statement)
On 19 October 2023, the Special Rapporteur had her interactive dialogue during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, and presented her thematic report on “Secondary sanctions, civil and criminal penalties for circumvention of sanctions regimes and over-compliance” (A/78/196) (video starting at 40:00)
Videos
28 March 2023
Side Event: Impact of UCMS on the right to development and implementation of sustainable development goals
Watch the video
16 September 2021
Panel Discussion on Unilateral Coercive Measures - 7th Meeting, 48th Regular Session Human Rights Council
Watch on UN Web TV
15 September 2021
SR on unilateral coercive measures - 6th Meeting, 48th Regular Session Human Rights Council
Watch on UN Web TV