An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Sanctions as a Law Enforcement Tool in International Law: A Case Study of Zimbabwe from 2001 to 2013

Cynthia Chipanga; Torque Mude

doi:10.4236/ojps.2015.55031

Home > Journals > Social Sciences & Humanities > OJPS

Open Journal of Political Science > Vol.5 No.5, October 2015

An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Sanctions as a Law Enforcement Tool in International Law: A Case Study of Zimbabwe from 2001 to 2013 ()

Cynthia Chipanga¹, Torque Mude²

¹International Studies, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe.
²International Relations, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe.

DOI: 10.4236/ojps.2015.55031 PDF HTML XML 4,369 Downloads 5,396 Views Citations

Abstract

The focus of this research is analysing the effectiveness of sanctions as a law enforcement tool in international law, a case study of Zimbabwe from 2001 to 2013, to analyse the extent to which sanctions are effective in compelling the behaviour of the targeted ZANU PF elite. The conclusion drawn from this research was that sanctions were not effective in compelling the behaviour of the targets as they strengthened their undemocratic practises and human rights violations. Moreover, the lack of a comprehensive nature of sanctions led the targeted circumventing the restrictions, as there was room for other alternative options. In addition, sanctions ended up hurting the innocent civilians, thereby violating international law.

Keywords

Sanctions, Effectiveness, Zimbabwe, International Law, Law Enforcement

Share and Cite:

Chipanga, C. and Mude, T. (2015) An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Sanctions as a Law Enforcement Tool in International Law: A Case Study of Zimbabwe from 2001 to 2013. Open Journal of Political Science, 5, 291-310. doi: 10.4236/ojps.2015.55031.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	(2005). Government/ZANU PF Loses Z$800 Million Dollars to Sanctions. Zimbabwe Independent, 12 August.
[2]	(2009). Who’s Land? The Economist, March 5. www.economist.com/node/13240812
[3]	(2013). Abstracts of Presentations. Symposium on Unilateral Sanctions and International Law: Views on Legitimacy and Consequences. T.M.C. Asser Institute, The Hague, 11 July 2013.
[4]	Abadi, G. K. (n.d). Unilateral Sanctions against Iran and International Law.
[5]	Barker, J. C. (Year). The Enforcement of International Law. www.eolss.net/eolsssamplechapters/c14e1-44-01/e1-44-01-txt-02aspx
[6]	Beckman, R., & Butte, D. (n.d). Introduction to International Law.
[7]	Bengtsson, M. (2002). Economic Sanctions Go Smart: A Human Rights Perspective.
[8]	Charter of the United Nations https://treaties.un.org/doc/publication/ctc/uncharter.pdf
[9]	Chingono, H. (2010). Zimbabwe Sanctions: An Analysis of the “Lingo” Guiding the Perceptions of the Sanctioners and the Sanctionees. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 4.
[10]	Chingono, H., Hove, M., & Danda, J. S. (2013). Sanctions Effectiveness in a Globalised Era. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 3.
[11]	Chogugudza, C. (2009). Long Story of Zim Sanctions. The Financial Gazette, 10-16 September.
[12]	Civil Society Monitoring Mechanism (CISOMM) (2010). Six Month Shadow Report on the Performance of the Inclusive Government of Zimbabwe.
[13]	Coltart, D. (2013). Sanctions Shielding Zanu PF. Southern Eye, 23 September.
[14]	Council of the European Union. 15 February 2002, 6284/02.
[15]	Elliott, A. K., & Hufbauer, C. G. (2002). The Concise Encyclopaedia of Economic Sanctions. http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/Sanctions.html
[16]	Eriksson, M. (2007). Targeting the Leadership of Zimbabwe: A Path to Democracy and Normalisation. Upssula University Department of Peace and Conflict Research.
[17]	EU Renews Targeted Sanctions against Mugabe (2013). www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/sanctions20.12297.html
[18]	European Commission (2008). Restrictive Measures.
[19]	European Commission-Zimbabwe (2006). Joint Annual Report 2006; EC-Zimbabwe.
[20]	Full Text: Mugabe’s Speech to the 68th Session of UN General Assembly. 26 September 2013. http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-12465-Full+text+Mugabes+2013+UN+speech/news.aspx
[21]	Gono, G. (2007). The Impact of Sanctions against Zimbabwe. http://rbz.co.zw/pdfs/farm_mech/sanctions.pdf
[22]	Grebe, J. (2010). And They Are Still Targeting: Assessing the Effectiveness of Targeted Sanctions against Zimbabwe. Africa Spec-trum, 45, 3-29.
[23]	Hartwell, L. (2013). Reflecting on Positive Zimbabwe GNU Moments. The Zimbabwe Independent, 7 November.
[24]	Hove, M. (2012). The Debates and Impact of Sanctions: The Zimbabwean Experience. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 3.
[25]	Hovi, J., Huseby, R., & Sprinz, F. D. (2005). When Do (Imposed) Eco-nomic Sanctions Work? World Politics, 57, 479-499. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/wp.2006.0011
[26]	Hudson-Dean, S. The Truth about United States Policy towards Zim-babwe. http://harare.usembassy.gov/policy_explain.html
[27]	Hughes, K. (2007). Operation “Drive out the Trash”: The Case for Imposing Targeted United Nations Sanctions against Zimbabwean. Fordham Law Review, 76.
[28]	Johnson-Thomas, B., & Danssaert, P. (2009). Zimbabwe-Arms and Corruption: Fuelling Human Rights Abuses. www.thezimbabwean.co/human-rights-abuses-.html
[29]	K?chler, H. (1992). The United Nations Sanctions Policy and International Law. Turkish Yearbook, Volume XXII.
[30]	Lektzian, D., & Souva, M. (2007). An Institutional Theory of Sanctions Onset and Success. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 51.
[31]	Madhuku, L. (2013). Vote No to Draft Constitution. News Day, 15 March.
[32]	Masaka, D. (2012). Paradoxes in the “Sanctions Discourse” in Zimbabwe: A Critical Reflection. African Study Monographs, 33.
[33]	Mashingaidze, M. T. (2006). The Zimbabwe Entrapment: An Analysis of the Nexus between Domestic and Foreign Policies in a “Collapsing” Militant State, 1990s-2006.
[34]	Mbanje, C. B. B., & Mahuku, N. D. (2011). European Union Sanctions and Their Impacts on Zimbabwe 2002-2011: Finding Alternative Means to Survive. Sacha Journal of Policy and Strategic Studies, 1.
[35]	Ndakaripa (n.d). Sanctions or Targeted Restrictive Measures? The United States and European Union “Sanctions” on Zimbabwe, 2001 to 2010. Harare: Department of History, University of Zimbabwe.
[36]	Nyamutata, C. (2013). Zanu PF Economic with the Truth. Daily News, 22 October.
[37]	Parliamentary Debates (2006). The Senate, Zimbabwe, Official Report. Unrevised, Volume 16, No. 3, Wednesday, 9th August.
[38]	Pasirayi, P. (2009). Deliver Democracy to Remove Sanctions. The Zimbabwe Independent, April 2.
[39]	Paul, A. J., & Akhtar, S. (1998). Sanctions: An Analysis. Global Policy Forum, August 1998. www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/202/41612.html
[40]	Ploch, L. (2009). Zimbabwe: The Power Sharing Agreement and Implications for US Policy. Congressional Research Service, October 27.
[41]	Richardson, P. (2007). Zimbabwe’s Health Dilemma. Sunday Times, August 19.
[42]	Sanctions and International Law (2013). www.scn.org/wwfor/iraqlaw.html
[43]	Segall, A. (1999). Economic Sanctions: Legal and Policy Constraints. 31 December Article, International Review of the Red Cross, No. 836. www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/57jq73.htm
[44]	Shrener, C. (n.d). Sources of International Law: Scope and Application. The Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research.
[45]	Sims, B., Masamvu, S., & Mirell, H. (2010). Restrictive Measures and Zimbabwe: Political Implications, Economic Impact and a Way Forward. IDASA, November.
[46]	Smith, S. (2006). Sanctions: Diplomatic Tool, or Warfare by Other Means? www.beyondintractibility.org/essay/sanctions Accessed 14 March 2014
[47]	Smith-Hohn, J. (2010). Zimbabwe: Are Targeted Sanctions Smart Enough? On the Efficacy of International Restrictive measures. ISS Situation Report, June 4.
[48]	Tererai, K. (2008). ZANU PF Launches “Operation Mavhotera papi” to Punish Opposition. April 14. http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/old/apr15a_2008.html
[49]	Thucydides, (1972). History of the Peloponnesian War. New York: Penguin Book
[50]	Trocan, M. L. (2009). Sanctions in Public International Law. Days of Law: The Conference Proceedings, Brno: Masaryk University.
[51]	Tungwarara, O. (2011). Sanctions: In Aid of Transition or an Obstacle to Democracy. In R. Lee (Ed.), Zimbabwe at the Crossroads. Open Space, Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa.
[52]	Zim Farm Invasions Keep Investors Away (2010). Mail and Guardian, January 10.
[53]	Zimbabwe 2013 Elections More Confusing, More Uncertainty. africanarguments.org/2013/08/05/zimbabwe’selections-2013-more-uncertainity-ny-ian-scoones/