Human rights and humanitarian intervention

More about the book

The Balkan Wars of the 1990s, the Rwandan genocide, and the Darfur conflict sparked significant debates that transformed international politics and law after the Cold War. Humanitarian crises and severe human rights violations became compelling justifications for military interventions abroad. These discussions led to the renegotiation of international norms, including sovereignty and the prohibition of force. This volume places the history of post-Cold War humanitarian intervention within the broader context of the twentieth century, examining the political and cultural shifts that preceded the end of the bipolar world order. It highlights the unique characteristics of 1990s interventionism, where military actions were first justified on human rights grounds. The authors explore the roles of various actors, including governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, media, and public intellectuals. The rise of "New Humanitarianism" during this period resulted from earlier political and cultural changes, leading to a redefinition of humanitarianism's goals and methods. The erosion of impartiality among humanitarian actors, the activism of a New Left, and the emergence of a new urgency ethic fundamentally altered the landscape of humanitarian intervention. The volume is presented in English.