Nationality-Based Sanctions: A Form of Modern Racism?

Introduction
In today’s interconnected world, nationality-based sanctions affect individuals beyond political or economic spheres, reaching deeply into the lives of ordinary people. While designed to pressure governments or regimes, these sanctions often impose burdens on people based solely on their nationality, regardless of personal beliefs or affiliations. Is this, in essence, a form of discrimination akin to racism?

The Human Impact of Nationality-Based Sanctions
Nationality-based sanctions are usually framed as geopolitical tools to target specific regimes. However, from a human standpoint, they can feel strikingly similar to racism. Both involve treating people unfairly based on characteristics they cannot change — whether it’s their nationality or race. While racism historically targets race or ethnicity, nationality-based sanctions similarly marginalize people for an unchosen trait, which can result in the same kind of exclusion, stigmatization, and social alienation.

For example, imagine someone born in North Korea who migrates to another country like Turkey. Despite no longer residing under North Korean government control, sanctions against North Koreans often still apply, restricting their access to services like financial platforms such as Binance. This doesn’t reflect the individual’s current circumstances, but rather their nationality, echoing the same hurtful impact as racial discrimination.

A Human Rights Perspective
From a human rights viewpoint, sanctioning individuals based on nationality — despite where they live or their personal choices — seems to punish them for something they cannot control. The pain caused by these sanctions can resemble the pain caused by racism: exclusion, loss of opportunities, and the feeling of being judged not by who you are, but by where you come from.

Legal vs. Ethical Considerations
Legally, nationality-based sanctions are justified by security concerns, international law, and geopolitical strategies. Yet, ethically, they create a situation where innocent individuals are caught in a web of exclusion due to their place of birth, much like the systemic disadvantages caused by racial discrimination. If both forms of bias lead to similar harms, should we not reconsider how these sanctions align with our values of fairness, justice, and equality?

Conclusion
While nationality-based sanctions may be legally different from racism, the lived experiences of those affected can blur the line between geopolitical necessity and human prejudice. As we push for global policies that promote equality, it’s crucial to reassess how sanctions affect not just governments, but the individuals who, by no fault of their own, are bound to a nationality that carries global penalties.

Call to Action
It’s time for lawmakers and policymakers to reflect on the human cost of sanctions and explore alternatives that target regimes without punishing ordinary citizens. In doing so, we can foster a global community rooted in justice and equality, where no one is marginalized based on their place of birth.