Kosovo Revisited: Humanitarian Intervention on the Fault Lines of International Law

Posted: 14 Jul 2008

See all articles by Nigel S. Rodley

Nigel S. Rodley

University of Essex

Başak Çalı

Hertie School of Governance

Date Written: 2007

Abstract

The asserted doctrine of unilateral humanitarian intervention has given rise to considerable debate in international law. This article revisits the use of force in Kosovo to critically appraise this debate. The arguments for and against the doctrine are schematically compared and contrasted. Their differences are methodological, but underlying factors are relevant. These may include a conflict of values (notably, sovereignty versus human rights), but certainly involve deep disciplinary problems evidenced by confusing international legal terminology and, especially, the contradictions inherent in identifying and changing rules of general/customary international law. Three factors are considered as potentially helpful in bridging these fault lines: state practice (unavoidably), the stability of the international system and accountability. The latter two, at least, sit uncomfortably with unilateralism.

Suggested Citation

Rodley, Nigel S. and Çalı, Başak, Kosovo Revisited: Humanitarian Intervention on the Fault Lines of International Law (2007). Human Rights Law Review, Vol. 7, Issue 2, pp. 275-297, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1158835 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/hrlr/ngm003

Nigel S. Rodley (Contact Author)

University of Essex ( email )

Wivenhoe Park
Colchester, CO4 3SQ
United Kingdom

Başak Çalı

Hertie School of Governance ( email )

Friedrichstraße 180
Berlin, 10117
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.hertie-school.org/en/who-we-are/profile/person/cali/

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