Sanctions are contrary to international law

IN March 1958, the United States imposed sanctions on Cuba in what is now regarded as the most enduring trade embargo in modern history. This year Zimbabwe marked 21 years under the yoke of US sanctions, which have placed a massive toll on the country’s economy. The Sunday Mail‘s Wallace Ruzvidzo (WR) spoke to Cuban Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Carmelina Ramírez Rodríguez (CR), about the two countries’ experiences under US sanctions.

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WR: What is your assessment of unilateral sanctions imposed on sovereign countries and how they affect a country’s developmental aspirations?

CR: The application of unilateral coercive measures is contrary to international law.

They threaten a State’s sovereignty and undermine its economic and social development.

In terms of international law, there are no circumstances that legitimise the application of unilateral coercive measures.

It is illegal to continue imposing such measures with the clear intention of interfering in the internal affairs of states, undermining their political stability and trying to provoke political changes.

It is untrue to say that sanctions do not affect the daily life of the common man.

Sanctions are a policy of interference in the internal issues of sovereign countries.

Countries that impose such measures always attempt to cover up the true extent of their actions by saying sanctions only target selected entities and officials.

But if you limit a country’s access to financial support and credit through normal international trading channels, you are in fact affecting the entire population.

WR: How has Zimbabwe and her regional peers fared in as far as lobbying for the removal of the sanctions?

CR: Solidarity is indispensable among developing countries who face huge economic and political challenges.

Of course, the decision by SADC to declare October 25 as the day for solidarity against sanctions gives us an opportunity to sensitise the general public on this topic, which is of great interest and the negative impact of the economic sanctions on the economy and people of Zimbabwe.

The initiative by SADC has helped put Zimbabwe’s case on the agenda at the African Union because it is an important issue for the region.

WR: From your observations, how have the sanctions affected Zimbabwe?

CR: As I said before, the economic sanctions have a direct impact on the daily lives of the population.

We can mention the different studies by civic society organisations and international organisations that have laid bare the negative impact of the coercive sanctions on the daily lives of people in many countries, not only in Zimbabwe.

There is a long list that includes Iraq, Libya, Iran, Syria, Venezuela, and Cuba.

Those who impose sanctions do not care about the social and economic development of our countries or the welfare of our people.

The formula is simple, if countries cannot export, money stops coming in.

It is the ordinary people who then suffer because of inflation and lack of access to food and medicines.

Citizens are deprived of the most basic tools to survive: medicines, clean water, materials for building, and many other things.

In the case of Cuba, the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States government constitutes the longest set of unilateral coercive economic measures in history, ignoring the systematic and overwhelming demand of the international community for an immediate end.

In recent years, there has been the development of the concept of “intelligent sanctions” that purportedly target politicians, citizens, institutions and companies to justify the persistent economic sanctions and perpetuate political failure.

To illustrate the cruelty of these measures, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the American blockade on Cuba was reinforced, depriving Cuba access to the international market for medicines and food.

But we are here and continue moving forward.

However, because of the scientific and biotechnological advances in Cuba, the country has produced its own vaccines against Covid-19.

At present, more than 9 million Cubans have received one dose of the vaccine which is about 63,7 percent of our target.

By November the country expects to have vaccinated 90 percent of the population.

That shows resilience.

WR: In your opinion, why does the West appear adamant and refuses to do away with the policy of imposing economic sanctions?

CR: It is because the big powers do not realise that they have failed.

Our governments and the majority of people in Zimbabwe and Cuba continue resisting interference in the name of our independence and sovereignty.

WR: How best can we ensure that the voice of countries under sanctions can be heard?

CR: In my opinion, it is what we are doing now.

We should continue working closely, supporting each other and speaking with one voice.