A/HRC/43/36 8. Ms. Hicks recalled that OHCHR had repeatedly emphasized the need for multilateral approaches. While sanctions were not unlawful, in order for them to have the greatest positive impact on human rights, they needed to be carefully targeted and tailored. 9. Ms. Hicks referred to a 2012 OHCHR thematic study (A/HRC/19/33) that continued to provide helpful guidance in that regard. In line with the Vienna Declaration, OHCHR had recommended that all Member States should avoid the application of any coercive measures having negative effects on human rights, particularly on those of the most vulnerable. 10. In the 2012 study, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights had noted that even carefully targeted sanctions imposed to end gross human rights violations must be subject to stringent conditions. In particular, they must be imposed for no longer than necessary, be proportional and be subject to appropriate human rights safeguards, including human rights impact assessments and monitoring conducted by independent experts (A/HRC/19/33, para. 38). 11. In his opening speech, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Jorge Arreaza, speaking on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries,1 stressed that the panel discussion was part of the preparatory work for a future United Nations declaration on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, including the right to development. 12. For the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries it was important to fight against unilateral coercive measures, which were imposed illegally on countries in the global South fighting for their development, autonomy and independence. Such measures caused great suffering to nations and peoples and, within them, to the most vulnerable groups by boycotting economies, suffocating trade and promoting the destruction of productive systems. 13. Mr. Arreaza stressed that unilateral coercive measures openly violated the human rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. They produced death, hunger, poverty, inequality and – hidden behind the masquerade of “sanctions” – the destabilization of entire political systems in the nations on which they were imposed. 14. In line with the request of the Human Rights Council to identify and propose measures that guaranteed the withdrawal of unilateral coercive measures, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries had called for preserving multilateralism and strengthening international cooperation. In that context, Mr. Arreaza called upon the members of the Movement to work together to help developing countries to realize the objectives and principles contained in the declaration on the promotion of world peace and cooperation, adopted at the Asia-Africa Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia, on 18–24 April 1955. 15. The Movement of Non-Aligned Countries promoted respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, condemned interventionism and interference in the internal affairs of States, and rejected threats or acts of aggression and the use of force against any country. 16. Multilateralism provided a great platform for addressing the complex threats and challenges facing the world. The Movement of Non-Aligned Countries advocated the establishment of a peaceful, prosperous, fair and equitable world. Those objectives were being hindered by those seeking to perpetuate inequalities and inequities in the world. Nonetheless, it was a difficult historical moment for multilateralism, as the world was facing a turbulent scenario marked by uncertainty and in which international peace and security, comprehensive economic development, social justice, human rights and the rule of law were being threatened. 17. In its most recent political declaration, adopted in Caracas on 20 July 2019, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries had envisaged refraining from recognizing, adopting or applying unilateral coercive measures or extraterritorial laws, including unilateral economic sanctions. It had also reiterated its rejection of other arbitrary restrictions, such as 1 The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela held the Chairmanship of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries from September 2016 to October 2019. 3