Law. Human. Environment

Economic sanctions as a challenge to legal theory: Axiological analysis of the impact on human rights and state sovereignty

Maksym Loza, Lilia Pankova
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Abstract

The research was aimed at axiological analysis of economic sanctions and their impact on fundamental legal values, in particular, human rights and state sovereignty. The study was conducted based on a comprehensive combination of general scientific and special legal methods. A set of methods was used, in particular comparative legal, formal legal methods within the framework of a systematic approach, which allowed comprehensively assessing the impact of sanctions on legal systems, international norms, and state sovereignty. The study found that sanctions, as an instrument of international pressure, have a serious impact on state sovereignty and human rights. Their application often jeopardises the fundamental rights of citizens, in particular, economic rights such as access to work, social security, and essential goods and services. Sanctions can lead to violations of the rights to life, dignity, and development, especially when restrictions on access to resources affect the general population, including the most vulnerable social groups. It was also found that the selectivity of the application of sanctions and their unequal implementation often lead to double standards in international relations, which undermines confidence in international legal mechanisms. In addition, sanctions can undermine state sovereignty, creating prerequisites for external interference in the internal affairs of the state, which further complicates the protection of citizens’ rights. Therefore, sanctions not only increase political isolation, but also call into question the principles of human rights and the international rule of law. The results obtained indicate the need to harmonise international standards of sanctions policy, develop mechanisms for monitoring the effectiveness of sanctions, and introduce humanitarian exceptions to minimise their negative impact

Keywords

global security; democratic values; public order; international politics; countermeasures

Suggested citation
Loza, M., & Pankova, L. (2025). Economic sanctions as a challenge to legal theory: Axiological analysis of the impact on human rights and state sovereignty. Law. Human. Environment, 16(4), 25-41. https://doi.org/10.31548/law/4.2025.25
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