An Analysis of the Responsibility of Foreign Policymakers towards Citizens of Other States on the Examples of Interventions in Rwanda, Iraq, and Afghanistan
Humanitarian intervention is a practice of the international community in which a state or coalition of states interferes in the internal affairs of another state to protect and save people from humanitarian catastrophe and grave human rights abuses These are often military interventions, though may also include other forms of state sanction such as economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure. The goal of humanitarian intervention is to protect civilians from harm, whether from natural disasters, conflict, or human rights abuses.
The concept of humanitarian intervention is an old one, with references to it being found in ancient texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Bible, but it was only adopted as a justifiable use of force following the United Nations Charter of 1945. Since then, humanitarian intervention has been used to intervene in conflicts, to protect civilian populations, and to support human rights.
One of the best examples of humanitarian intervention was in 1992 when the UN Security Council authorized a 'no-fly zone' in northern Iraq in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the Gulf War. The purpose of the no-fly zone was to protect the Kurdish population from Saddam Hussein's forces, which were engaged in a campaign of genocide. The United Nations also established Operation Provide Comfort, which provided humanitarian aid and logistical support to Kurdish refugees.
The second example of humanitarian intervention is NATO’s intervention in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, specifically the Kosovo conflict. The NATO forces were deployed to stop the violence and to protect civilians from the Serbian forces which were committing widespread atrocities. The NATO mission was successful in ending the violence, and in providing long-term protection for the people of Kosovo.
The third example is the US-led intervention in Somalia in 1993. The US sent troops to protect famine victims and stop the warlords from continuing with their devastation of the local population. The intervention was successful in providing relief to the people, and also in ending the warlord rule in the country.
The fourth example is the UN-mandated intervention in Sierra Leone in 1999, when UN peacekeepers were deployed to stop a brutal and protracted civil war. The United Nations forces were able to protect civilians from the rebel forces, and also established an atmosphere of stability in the country.
Finally, the fifth example is the US-led intervention in Libya in 2011. The US and its allies provided military support for the rebels fighting against Gaddafi's forces, and helped to protect civilians from harm. This intervention was successful in overthrowing the Gaddafi regime, and also in establishing a new government.
In conclusion, humanitarian interventions have been used for centuries, and this article has provided five of the most successful examples. These interventions have all been successful in protecting civilian populations from harm, and in helping to bring about a more peaceful and stable world.