Humanitarian interventionism: ethical, legal and security issues in 21th century

Matić, Davorka and Mikac, Robert. (2010). Humanitarian interventionism: ethical, legal and security issues in 21th century. Polemos : časopis za interdisciplinarna istraživanja rata i mira, XIII(25). pp. 51-76. ISSN 1331-5595

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Abstract

During the last two decades, the main challenges to international peace and security have been so called “asymmetric” threats, such as global terrorism and organized crime, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, uncontrolled migrations and political instability caused by “failed” states. These threats have helped generate a new security paradigm within which humanitarian, social, economic and environmental dimensions of security are considered as of paramount importance, and which emphasizes protection of fundamental human rights. The concept of human security places the individual and not the state in the center of security politics. This thinking has led to significant changes in the way we currently understand the relationship between state sovereignty and human rights. In this new paradigm, state sovereignty is no longer viewed simply through the lens of state’s rights but also through its obligations towards the international community and, especially, its citizens. Today, respect for state sovereignty is increasingly tied to that state’s respect for the rights and liberties of its citizens. This modification of the meaning of sovereignty parallels changes in politics and institutional context of humanitarian interventionism, what can be recognized in increased willingness of the international community to use all means necessary, including force, against those states that breed violence, generate humanitarian crises and constitute danger to regional and global security. At the end of the 20th century, a combination of strategic and humanitarian imperatives led to the development of an integrated approach towards peace-keeping and peace-building operations. This approach calls for incorporating the instruments of security, humanitarian aid, and development within the model of “humanitarian military intervention”. Upon analyzing the aims, tasks and practices of humanitarian interventions, the authors conclude that, at the present moment, humanitarian intervention is, despite many well-placed criticism, the best available instrument international community has at its disposal for ending conflicts and crimes committed against civilians. The imperative to protect human rights justifies the use of force and the violation of the principle of state sovereignty, albeit only under a clearly defined framework, when the magnitude of those crimes violates fundamental principles of humanity and our common morality.

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