Assess the Extent to Which International Intervention for Humanitarian Essay

Assess the Extent to Which International Intervention for Humanitarian Reasons is Becoming a Normal Among the International Comm - Essay Example To assess extent of the international intervention for humanitarian reasons one shall primary discover its foundation. In my opinion, regulation of human rights and freedoms are the basis for any humanitarian intervention in pre- and post-war period. Before signing the UN Charter, Geneva Conventions of 1949 and other international documents they were regulated exclusively by national law. Their scope and variety depended on historical epochs. According to national law, humanitarian intervention was allowed only for protection of life and property of citizens, staying on the territory of another state, and also of ethnic minorities. French intervention to Syria (1860 - 1861) can be regarded as its classical example. Justification of the above intervention was the rescue of local Christian population. A short-term religious conflict between the Maronite Christians and the massacre provoked indignation of European community of those times. Houndari (1946) remarks that previously there h as been tolerance between Muslims and the local Christian community. At the Conference in Paris the most influential European countries empowered France to perform the intervention for humanitarian reasons. ... , but only because it was clear that non-compliance with the wishes of the European great powers would lead to strategic coercion being exercised by the Concert powers against Turkey.† Thus, in XIX century such intervention of the progressive state was quite normal, as oppressors were Muslims, ‘uncivilized foreigners’ and was grounded on common religion and humanity concerns. The French party significantly exceeded its authority, as the initially agreed term of 6 months was prolonged and conflict of power with the British government took place. It is a typical feature of modern humanitarian intervention campaigns (Iran, Afghanistan), where transfer of power to local administration is often prolonged and restricted. Although the French government tried to protect local Christians’ interests, it was just a pretext for power redivision with Great Britain in this region. Scale of the conflict was exaggerated, because most of the Maronite Christians were natives, not numerous and â€Å"and partly because clergy and laity alike were for the most part Arabic in language and culture† (Houndari 1946). On the other hand, the present intervention really improved the situation, as the Christian population was governed and protected by American Christian Governor. The Maronite Christians’ rights and social position strengthened. Special attention should be paid to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which authorized partition of Poland by Germany and the Soviet Union. After World War I League of Nations supported independence of Poland as a buffer against ‘Red Russia’ and progressive Europe. According to agreements between League of Nations members, observance of human, civil and political rights for Polish citizens dwelling outside the country was guaranteed. Lerski (1996)