"The right to intervene" in the domestic affairs of states

Abstract

One ofthe most important developments in the new world order that nations hope to establish is the notion of ' a right to intervene ' by the United Nations in the internal affairs of member states . The violation of human rights , or the oppression of an ethnic minority, such as the Kurds in Iraq , could trigger UN intervention if the Security Council determines there is a threat to the regional peace. When a government murders its own people on a large scale , there will invariably be an impact across international borders . Potentially , therefore , the United Nations - if it has the will - can always make out a case for 'a right to intervene' whenever and wherever there is government - sponsored brutality on a scale such as to shock the conscience of mankind . Given a wide reading of the purposes of the UN Charter , the possession of weapons of mass destruction , pollution and the heritage of mankind could also become matters properly dealt with by the United Nations . Of course , any form of intervention by the United Nations will depend on agreement amongst the Permanent Members of the Security Council . Nonetheless , as far as human rights are concerned , it seems that the world has reached a point where it will - in principle - no longer tolerate the massive and deliberate violation of human rights by any state , unless the target state sits at or near the intersection of important strategic , economic or political interests Show more