Terrorism is a live threat in today’s world – and one that causes immeasurable human suffering. The international community has worked to confront this threat through a patchwork of counterterrorism measures, including sanctions. Despite the legitimacy of those efforts, these measures have negative effects on the provision of humanitarian aid, harming intended beneficiaries and humanitarian workers and bringing counterterrorism measures into tension with international humanitarian law.
Over the past two decades, states and international organizations have increasingly relied on counterterrorism and sanctions measures to address threats to national and international peace and security. These measures present both opportunities as a legitimate foreign policy tool and challenges for humanitarian responses in contemporary crises.
This theme examines the interplay between counterterrorism measures, sanctions, and humanitarian efforts, highlighting the challenges and legal frameworks needed to ensure the delivery of aid in conflict-affected and politically sensitive environments.
