Current issues of the enforcement of sanctions in the external relations of the European Union

international law, sanctions and the EU global regime against serious human rights violations

Abstract

One of the objectives of the external action of the European Union is to promote an international system based on good global governance. Another equally important goal relates to the consolidation and support of human rights and the principles of international law. At the same time, the Union seeks to safeguard its own values, fundamental interests and security. Adopted at the end of 2020, the EU global regime concerning sanctions against serious violations of human rights constitutes both a legal and a political tool in the Union’s toolkit for the enforcement of international community norms worldwide. Elucidating the logic that has led to the design and the implementation of the European Union’s global sanctions regime is essential to understanding the nature of the new sanctions system. As far as this regime is one of the tools of the EU’s foreign policy, the question of how it fits in the broader framework of public international law and human rights law is of corresponding significance. The latter necessitates the clarification of a number of notions and categories in international law related to the idea of coercion in international relations implemented by states or international organisations, as well as the understanding of the erga omnes and jus cogens concept. The EU demonstrates great ambitions by its global regime but the mechanism needs improvement of its legal basis which should be cleared of the possibilities for additional politicisation of the instrument.

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