The United Nations Security Council and the Enforcement of International Humanitarian Law

Israel Law Review, Vol. 43, pp. 330-359, 2010

30 Pages Posted: 23 Feb 2011 Last revised: 14 Mar 2015

See all articles by Marco Roscini

Marco Roscini

University of Westminster School of Law; Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Date Written: June 30, 2010

Abstract

This Article discusses the competences and powers of the UN Security Council in securing compliance with international humanitarian law, in particular through the adoption of the measures provided in Chapter VII of the Charter. The competence of the Council in this field can be founded on several legal grounds: on a broad interpretation of the notion of “threat to the peace” (Article 39 of the Charter), on Article 94(2) with regard to the International Court of Justice’s judgments establishing violations of the jus in bello and also on the customary duty to ensure respect for international humanitarian law as reflected in Article 1 Common to the 1949 Geneva Conventions on the Protection of the Victims of War. In particular, such customary provision empowers the Security Council to react to any violation of international humanitarian law regardless of a nexus with concerns of international stability. Although the Council has adopted a variety of measures in relation to violations of the laws of war, the most incisive ones are those provided in Articles 41 and 42 of Chapter VII, which however are not without problems. The role the Security Council has played in the enforcement of international humanitarian law has been criticized because of its selective and opportunistic approach, which is due to the political nature of the organ. Also, in several instances the Council, far from securing compliance with the jus in bello, has instead interfered with its application.

However selective and imperfect the Council’s approach might be, though, its power to adopt decisions binding on UN members and its competence to take or authorize coercive measures involving the use of force make it potentially a formidable instrument against serious violations of international humanitarian law, partly remedying the lack of enforcing mechanisms in the treaties on the laws of war.

Keywords: Security Council, United Nations, International Humanitarian Law

JEL Classification: K33

Suggested Citation

Roscini, Marco, The United Nations Security Council and the Enforcement of International Humanitarian Law (June 30, 2010). Israel Law Review, Vol. 43, pp. 330-359, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1767983

Marco Roscini (Contact Author)

University of Westminster School of Law ( email )

4 Little Titchfield Street
London, W1W 7UW
United Kingdom

Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights ( email )

Villa Moynier
Rue de Lausanne 120B-CP 67-1211
Geneva
Switzerland

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