Risks and Challenges of

Humanitarian Intervention
BY LILY RUTHERFORD
Outline

 Defining Humanitarian Intervention

 The risks and challenges of Humanitarian intervention

 Questions for discussion

What is Humanitarian Intervention?

 An intervention in an ongoing situation with the aim of ending Human rights

violations

 Most often carried out by states or coalitions of states (Such as the UN)

 Takes place within the borders of sovereign states

Examples of Humanitarian Intervention

 Somalia (1992) - The USA and the UN intervened to ensure the delivery of
international humanitarian aid to the region.

 Kosovo (1999) - The NATO bombing of Belgrade as a response to widespread

attacks on the civilian population.

 Darfur, Sudan (2004) - The African Union deployed peacekeeping troops to

protect civilians in the region, especially those in refugee camps.
Risks and Challenges of Humanitarian
Intervention
 Violation of Sovereignty - Intervening in the affairs of another country without its
consent can be seen as an infringement on its sovereignty and may lead to
increased tensions.

 Unintended Consequences – Humanitarian interventions can often have

unintended consequences such as escalated conflict or displaced populations.

 Lack of International Consensus - Differences in political interests, ideologies,

and priorities among nations may hinder concerted action and lead to ineffective
or disjointed responses.
Further Risks and Challenges

 Long-term Reconstruction and Stability - Rebuilding infrastructure, fostering

reconciliation, and addressing underlying political, social, and economic
grievances require sustained commitment and resources.

 Legal and Moral Justifications - International law provides guidelines for such
interventions, but interpretations and enforcement mechanisms can be
contentious, leading to questions about the legitimacy of certain interventions.
Discussion Questions

 Given the risks and challenges previously discussed should we still attempt to
engage in humanitarian intervention?

 If so, how do we overcome those risks and challenges?

Bibliography

 Coady, C. (2018). Challenges for Humanitarian Intervention: Ethical Demand

and Political Reality. Oxford, Oxford University press.

 Holzgrefe, J. (2003). Humanitarian Intervention: Ethical, Legal and Political

Dilemmas. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

 Walling, C. (2015). Human Rights Norms, State Sovereignty, and Humanitarian

Intervention. Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University Press.

 Rodley, S. (2007). Kosovo Revisited: Humanitarian Intervention on the Fault

Lines of International Law. Oxford. Oxford University Press.