UN Declares 4 December as International Day Against Coercive Measures

The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution to observe the 4th of December every year as the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures. The first International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures will be observed in 2025. 

Rationale behind the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures 

The resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly says that the day has been established to create global awareness about the adverse effects of the unilateral coercive measures adopted by one country against another.

• Unilateral coercive measures and legislation adopted by one country against another are against international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among States. 
• The unilateral coercive measure also hampers a developing country from achieving full economic and social development. 
• Observing the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures aims to promote greater international cooperation and solidarity among countries in addressing the adverse consequences of such measures, especially on developing countries.
• The Day also urges countries not to impose unilateral coercive measures on other countries.

Why did the Developed Countries vote against the resolution? 

The Resolution was passed with 116 votes in favour, 51 against, and 6 abstentions. Countries like the United States of America and its allies Australia, Britain, Japan, Canada and the European Union voted against it.

• Developed Western countries, especially the United States of America, have used coercive measures (sanctions) to achieve their political and strategic objectives.
• The United States and its Western allies control world economic institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and Society for Worldwide Interbank Telecommunication (SWIFT). 
• The United States first imposed sanctions on Iran in 1979 when a revolution overthrew the Monarchy, supported by the United States, and brought the current Islamic regime to power. 
• Similarly, it has imposed sanctions on Cuba, China, Russia, Venezuela and other countries which are considered to be unfriendly or hostile to the American government and its allies.
• Ironically, these countries sponsored the United Nations resolution establishing the 4th of December every year as the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures.