IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A ‘JUST WAR’?

Learning Objectives

➤ State the seven conditions for a just war, as described by just war theory.

➤ Describe, with an example, at least one complication of using just war theory.

1. What are the specific conditions as to how the war must be conducted to be a just war?

The following are the just war theory conditions.

a. Lawfully declared: The war must be fought by a legally recognized authority. Eg, a government.

b. Just  cause:  The  cause  of  the  war  must  be  just.  Self-  defense  against  an  invasion might be a good example.

c. Rightful intension: The war must be fought with the intention of establishing good or correcting evil.

d. Chance of success: There must be a reasonable chance of success, e. Last resort: The war must be the last resort (after all diplomatic negotiations have been tried and failed) Each other non-violent alternative that could be taken needs to be fully pursued before taking military action.

f. Proportion: Only sufficient force must be used. The aim of military force must be in proportion to the just cause.

g. Discrimination:  A  discrimination  must  be  made  between  combatants  and  non-combatants. The only legitimate targets are those who are directly involved in fighting, i.e. combatants.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL

ORGANISATIONS IN PEACEKEEPING?

Learning Objectives

➤ Outline the key roles of the United Nations and the International Criminal Court.

➤ Describe at least two peacekeeping activities of the United Nations.

1. The United Nations.

The  United  Nations  (UN)  is  the  largest  and  the  most  well-known  of  the  international organisations. The UN was founded after the Second World War to prevent another such conflict.

It currently has 193 members including the UAE, according to its founding Charter, the mission of the UN is to maintain international peace and security, to promote friendly relations between countries, affirm human rights and to promote social progress.

2. The UN General Assembly:

The UN General Assembly provides a place for all of its members to debate international issues.

These may cover a range of global issues, not just issues of war and peace, for example, climate change, refugees and human trafficking.

3. UN Resolutions:

Formal proposals for action are passed by being voted on by the member states.

4. International Court of Justice:

International Court of Justice is sometimes known as the world court. It is located in the Peace Palace, which is in the city called The Hague, in the Netherlands.

5. The UN Security Council:

The UN Security Council is the main body in the UN that is responsible for peace and security in the  world.  The  council  is  made  up  of  only  15  members,  five  of  whom  are  permanent  (China, France, Russia, The United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten are non-permanent. Unlike General Assembly resolutions

6. The International Criminal Court:

The UN Security Council can refer specific cases to the International Criminal Court. The ICC

was founded on a treaty called the Rome Statue. The UAE is a signatory to the Rome Statue. The ICC is a permanent International court for the persecution of individuals for crimes that emerge out of conflict.

The Crimes ICC deal with.

1. Genocide.  Intentionally  destroying  a  national,  ethnic,  racial  or  religious  group  by killing or other means. This can include causing bodily or mental harm preventing births within the group and transferring children outside of the group.

2. Crimes Against Humanity. Serious violations committed as part of a large- scale attack against any civilian population. This covers many possible actions including murder, rape, imprisonment, enslavement (particularly of women and children) and torture.

3. War crimes: These are serious breaches of the Geneva Convention. For example, the use child soldiers, killing, or torturing civilians or prisoners of war, and directing attacks against hospitals or religious buildings.

4. The  Crime  of  Aggression:  A  state’s  use  of  armed  force  against  another  state  to threaten its sovereignty or political independence.

Peaceful Alternatives to Military Force.

Consistent with just war theory, when diplomacy fails in international conflicts, the UN

Security Council will always first seek non-violent alternatives to military action. It can take  a  broad  range  of  actions  against  countries,  called  ‘snactions’,  to  maintain international peace and security.

Examples of the types of sanctions that could be imposed on countries include: 1. A ban on the import of weapons and other military goods.

2. A  ban  on  the  imports  of  goods  or  technologies  that,  although  not  themselves military, could be used for military purpose.

3. A ban on the import/export of goods that generate money for a country’s leaders.

4. Travel ban for certain people.

5. Financial restrictions such as freezing the assets of people or companies.

Peace Operations and Activities.

The  United  Nations  operates  a  range  of  activities  to  maintain  international  peace  and security throughout the world. The activities fall under the following categories.

1. Conflict prevention and mediation.

This involves taking diplomatic measures when disputes arise (both within and between countries) to try and prevent the disputes from escalating into violence.

2. Peacemaking.

These are activities similar to those for conflict prevention. But are taken once a violent conflict has already started. The key aim is to establish a peaceful negotiated agreement between the parties in conflict.

3. Peace Enforcement.

This is the use of military force to end a conflict after it has started, often against the will  of  at  least  one  side  of  the  combatants.  It  usually  requires  a  substantial  military force.

4. Peacebuilding.

These activities typically occur after a specific conflict has ended and are designed to make sure that conflict does not reoccur. The aim to create a sustainable peace into the long  term.  Peace  building  activities  are  often  focused  on  the  root  structural  problems that may have led to conflict and promote reform of these structures.

5.  Peacekeeping.

The  United  Nations  operates  peacekeeping  missions  around  the  world  which  aim  to help countries that have been affected by conflict to create conditions for lasting peace.