Citation

Zajadlo J. Am. Behav. Sci. 2005; 48(6): 653-670.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0002764204272570

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

When does the universality of human rights and freedoms conflict with the legality of humanitarian intervention? This article explores the history of and problems with this issue. In addition, it pursues the problems of when and how to intervene to prevent humanitarian crises and how to reestablish peace after a military intervention. Three key responsibilities are identified: to prevent, to react, and to rebuild. This thorny ethical, political, and legal problem has been one of the most difficult in international law, and the author does not envision it being solved soon; however, the author points to real progress in multilateral conventions as hope for the future.