In the 1990s, the UN Security Council member states rediscovered the possibility of sanctions against states, governments and individuals. Since then, the practice of sanctions by the United Nations (UN) has changed significantly. However, sanction regimes are not a panacea. There is always controversy over how effective, legitimate and appropriate they are, whether they can make a constructive contribution to the containment of violence and end a conflict, or whether they do not exacerbate the suffering of the affected population.
