Topic: 2026 – Implementation of Sanctions
Country: Denmark
Delegate Name: KenZie Low
Article 41 of the UN Charter outlines sanctions as States having the power to use measures other than force, such as the interruption of economic relations and disruptions of communication and diplomatic relations, to ensure international peace and security. Modern sanctions no longer target an entire State, but rather specific individuals or entities who are responsible. Despite this evolution, there are still concerns that modern sanctions are not effective in deterring poor behavior and are not managed effectively by the UNSC. For example, there is only one Office of Ombudsperson along with the Focal Point for Delisting in the UNSC. States are also concerned about the reliability of the panel of experts used in the UNSC. Sanctions have been seen as a strategic motive or political agenda instead of a policy that changes behavior when China and Russia vetoed DPRK sanctions in 2022, and sanctions were disputed over CAR in 2023. Nonetheless, Denmark disagrees with this notion. Denmark is a strong advocate for the use of sanctions to maintain international peace and security and suggests harsher enforcement and publicity of sanctions to motivate those listed to change their behavior.
While Denmark does not implement any autonomous sanctions currently, the nation has been in full support and has been enforcing UN and EU sanctions. Denmark has been one of the top implementers of the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (GHRSR) adopted by the EU in 2020. This framework has been increasingly active in enforcing sanctions against individuals and entities that are perpetrating humanitarian violence and war crimes, especially Russia. Denmark has also supported the use of horizontal sanctions under the GHRSR. These target a common framework, like humanitarian violence, cybersecurity, or chemical weapons. This means that those who violate these frameworks will be sanctioned, no matter their country of origin or the location of the offense. Denmark has also made public statements condemning certain nations. Along with the EU agenda of sanctioning Russia, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has publicly stated that she would be willing to sanction either the Israel PM or the entire nation of Israel because of unlawful attacks on Gaza. Denmark has also updated its Danish Criminal Code, 110, to increase the imprisonment timeframe from four to eight years for the most serious violations of sanctions. Denmark has ensured that the EU follows these strict sanctions with respect to the listed individuals and entities, as they have the right to request a lifting of sanctions or challenge the Council Decision of the sanctions. The EU also publishes all sanctions swiftly after adpotion on their official journal, and recognizes the fundamental human rights that listed individuals/entities have.
Denmark urges that nations not hinder the strategic and effective use of sanctions used by the UN and EU to maintain peace and security. Denmark respects the right of request for de-listing and challenging sanctions, but does not support increasing de-listing or the relief of sanctions in the UNSC for clear, unlawful international acts. Denmark calls for stricter penalties for those who violate the implemented sanctions to demonstrate the seriousness of the crimes committed by the listed individuals and entities. Denmark also calls for an increased diversity of sanctions, such as horizontal sanctions under the GHRSR. The nation urges that the use of sanctions falls strictly under protecting the ideals stated in the UN Charter, and condemns the strategic use of sanctions for individual State gain. Denmark is a top donor in terms of humanitarian aid and understands that strict sanctions cause concerns of humanitarian suffering. Thus, Denmark believes in a multilateral approach of humanitarian support paired with strict sanctions. Denmark trusts the institutions of the UN and EU in its measures to maintain a peaceful globe; sanctions are a symbol to advocate for human rights in entities that violate them.
Works Cited
2022, January. Foreign and Security Policy Strategy Find the Strategy Online at Www.um.dk. 2022.
“Bill Proposing up to 8 Years’ Imprisonment for Violation.” Kromann Reumert, 12 Mar. 2025, kromannreumert.com/en/news/bill-proposing-up-to-8-years-imprisonment-violation-of-eu-sanctions. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
“Denmark – Global Sanctions Guide.” Ezine.eversheds-Sutherland.com, ezine.eversheds-sutherland.com/global-sanctions-guide/denmark.
“Denmark | Global Sanctions.” Global Sanctions, 5 Sept. 2025, globalsanctions.com/sanctioning-state/denmark/. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
European Union. “European Union Sanctions | EEAS Website.” Www.eeas.europa.eu, 7 Oct. 2021, www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/european-union-sanctions_en.
“Focal Point for De-Listing | Security Council.” Un.org, 2020, main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/delisting.
Haaretz. ““Netanyahu Himself Is Now a Problem”: Denmark’s PM Says Country May Sanction Israel over Gaza.” Haaretz, 16 Aug. 2025, www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-08-16/ty-article/netanyahu-himself-is-now-a-problem-denmarks-pm-says-country-may-sanction-israel/00000198-b306-d5b5-a1dc-bfa6f1340000. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
“How the EU Adopts and Reviews Sanctions.” Consilium, 2019, www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/sanctions-adoption-review-procedure/.
Hub, European Democracy. “Sharpening the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime – European Democracy Hub.” European Democracy Hub, 12 Mar. 2024, europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu/sharpening-the-eus-global-human-rights-sanctions-regime/.
Olsen, Kim B. “The “Hard Middle Ground”: Denmark’s Positioning Regarding the EU Sanctions against Russia.” Danish Foreign Policy Review, vol. 2023, 20 June 2023, pp. 52–82, research.diis.dk/en/publications/the-hard-middle-ground-denmarks-positioning-regarding-the-eu-sanc/. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
SUBSIDIARY ORGANS of the UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL United Nations Security Council Subsidiary Organs Https://Www.un.org/Securitycouncil/Content/Subsidiary-Bodies.
