United Nations and unilateral military interventions : admissible justifications in the United Nations' responses

Abstract

This study on the United Nations’ approach to unilateral military interventions is an analysis of the concept of military intervention in the domestic affairs of states and its normative development in international politics. In this context, the main purpose of the study is to discover the normative trends of legitimization in the organs of the United Nations (Security Council and General Assembly) and to assess the permissible state justifications of military intervention as endorsed by the United Nations. More specifically, it aims to expose the principle of non-intervention to inspection and exception, and inquire the extent of United Nations’ contribution to the development of international norms and trends with respect to military intervention in domestic affairs. For this purpose, the primary focus of the study is in general on the stance, and in particular on the decisions and actions taken by the main United Nations organs concerning the legality and legitimacy of military interventions undertaken by a state or group of states in the domestic affairs of another state with reference to individual cases. Examining the United Nations’ responses to individual cases of military intervention, the study finds that the United Nations has consistently declined the permissibility of unilateral military interventions in circumstances other than those stipulated by the Charter. Thus, the study concludes that the United Nations practice indicates substantial adherence to the Charter scheme regarding the prohibition of the use of force and the principle of non-intervention in internal affairs.