Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the Plenary meeting of the General Assembly on agenda item 28, entitled “Elimination of Unilateral Extraterritorial Coercive Economic Measures as a Means of Political and Economic Compulsion” - June 13th, 2024

Mr. President,

We thank you for convening this timely meeting.

Brazil has long sustained that unilateral extraterritorial coercive economic measures have no legal basis in international law. They violate the fundamental principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States. Deprived of international legality, they lack legitimacy and weaken multilateralism.

The impact of UCMs extends well beyond the legal and political realms. Such measures have severe economic consequences, as, more often than not, they lead to or aggravate economic crisis. They contribute to poverty, inequality and, in many cases, personal suffering as a result of shortages of food, medicine and essential goods.

In other words and as usual, the brunt of sanctions is born by regular citizens without the slightest influence on, much less responsibility for, whatever sanctioning States or groups of States wish to punish foreign governments for.

The purported targeted nature of some sanctions is not necessarily so, and, even when it is, measures may have serious collective implications, depending on the target.

The problem is further aggravated by the fact that UCMs have invariably proven ineffective in achieving their declared goals. Some of them have been applied for decades now, while policies they seek to change remain firmly in place.

In light of all these considerations, the international community must continue to condemn UCMs and clearly sustain key principles of International law and the Charter of the United Nations.

Thank you