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Legality of the Use of Military Force

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Legality of the Use of Military Force
Simulation 4
By: Scotty Luffman

Introduction Today in the 21st century as more and more states find themselves in conflicts or in a position where the use of military force is a viable option it is important to discuss the legality of the use of military force. This is especially important when taking into account that many of the rules and laws governing this topic were created when wars were fought very differently and opponents in warfare were often better defined than they are today. In most of the world’s conflicts today, a nation may not be engaging into battle against a uniformed militia of a particular state, nor are they engaged in conflict against a ruling government or regime of a state. However many of the laws and rules in place are still relevant and effective even in today’s extremely complex international arena. This topic is one that requires discussion because states need to know when it is legal for them to invade another state and when it is not. Also to outline the consequences of an illegal action in regards to these laws as well as other problems and dilemmas that may arise from this topic. But sometimes situations can call for action immediately. When you must wait on a committee of representatives to vote on the legality of the proposed invasion, you may stand the chance of losing valuable time and effectiveness against enemy combatants.

Legal Background The legal background regarding this topic is vague and confusing in some instances. International law prohibits the use of military force, unless it is being used in a manner of self-defense or as a preemptive maneuver to avoid being attacked by another state. However it must be decided what is considered self-defense or if an action is deemed a preemptive strike, was there and eminent threat serious enough for the use of military force? The United Nations Security Council is who decides things of this nature as well as the punishment that is dealt when these rules are broken. The Security Council may only issue sanctions through making it a weak deterrent.One other exception that allows the use of force is found in Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter and applies to instances when the Security Council may authorize the use of force to protect international peace and security. This creates a situation in where a state may use military force for a particular reason whenever the Security Council grants their permission because they have found that something or someone is posing a threat to international peace and security. So clearly the use of military force can only be used in a select few instances and any use outside of these would be in violation of customary international law. The use of military force is legal when in self-defense or as a preemptive maneuver to stop another state from causing harm, or when the United Nations Security Council acknowledges a treat to international peace and security.

Controversies Some of the controversies that have arose because of this topic have to do with those who feel that war should never been an option and those who feel that there may be some instances in which the use of military force should be legal that are not currently so. Also some controversies, especially in regards to the current war in Iraq stem from the evidence used to justify and attack. To show recent controversies regarding this topic I will use the issue of the war in Iraq. The United States government used an argument of self-defense to justify invading Iraq. As mentioned earlier an invasion as a result of self-defense is legal. However the United States was never directly attacked by the state of Iraq. But the Bush Administration did say that this act was committed to ensure that Saddam Hussein’s regime could not attack the United States in the future. Iraq was seen by the United States government to pose a threat to its peace and security so it acted before Iraq had a chance. This would be considered a preemptive strike, which is legal under international law. The problem with this approach it that who is to decide if the Iraqi government was an immediate threat and danger to the United States or to anyone else in the international community? This was seen by most people as not concrete enough to invade an entire state and occupy it. The United States government, to try and show a treat from Iraq, said there was a possibility of Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction as well as ties to organizations who carried out the attacks on 9/11, therefore justifying an invasion. There is a lot of controversy when dealing with this issue, and for good reason. Many feel as if war and the use of military force should be an absolute last option if it is even an option at all. This is due to the large amount of not only economic but also emotional tolls that may be incurred. On the opposite side, a state has a right to defend itself when in danger. Even though that is legal with the United Nations and international law, it was be hard for a state to prove the legality of an invasion in some instances. Also in some cases humanitarian laws may be violated that do not effect a state, but these violations may call for military force to be used to end suffering. It is important to take both points of this controversy into account when considering change and amendment to these international laws.

Conclusion Even though the use of military force often results in large amounts of bloodshed and seems unnecessary, I believe in some cases it may be the only answer to a dilemma in the international arena. I believe that the current laws operate effectively and that military force should be able to be used in self-defense or in preemptive measures. However I feel that the legal use of military force should be extended to circumstances regarding human rights violations such as genocide. An example of this is when Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi Army killed 5,000 people in Halabja, Iraq by gassing them in 1988. In situations such as these sanctions imposed by the United Nations do not create an effective punishment nor an effective deterrent for such actions. The only effective answer to such direct violations of international humanitarian law is immediate use of military force by another state against those who violate these laws. Since this is not a direct attack against another state, nor is it the threat to do so, using military force in this situation would constitute a violation of international law, however I believe most people would not view action of this sort against a violation such as this as illegal. Also it is possible if legality for the use of military force was extended to situations such as these it may pose a deterrent effective enough to keep people from committing acts against international humanitarian laws and ultimately saving the lives of innocent people.

Ben Clarke, “Can the Gulf War (2) be justified under International Law?” April 2003 http://www.findlaw.com.au/articles/default.asp?task=read&id=8418&site=LE

World Press Review Rachel S. Taylor http://www.worldpress.org/specials/iraq/

Humanitarian and Constitutional Rights, January 29, 2003 http://www.hrcr.org/hottopics/Iraq.html

Don Sellar, Toronto Star, March 1, 2003 http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article1779.htm

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