The Rise of Humanitarian Interventionism

Question 1

What was the call after the liberation of Auschwitz?

Answer 1

Never again

This phrase highlighted the commitment to prevent future genocides and led to the establishment of important human rights frameworks.

Question 2

Which international organization was created following the Holocaust?

Answer 2

The United Nations

The UN was established to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations.

Question 3

What significant document was adopted to outline fundamental human rights?

Answer 3

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, it sets out basic rights and freedoms for all individuals.

Question 4

How many people were killed during the Cambodian genocide from 1975 to 1979?

Answer 4

Between 1.5 and 2 million

This genocide was orchestrated by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime.

Question 5

What was the estimated number of Tutsis killed in the Rwandan genocide of 1994?

Answer 5

Between 500,000 and 662,000

The genocide was perpetrated by the Hutu ethnic group against the Tutsi population.

Question 6

What occurred in Srebrenica during the Bosnian war in 1995?

Answer 6

More than 8,000 Muslim men and boys were massacred

This event is considered one of the worst atrocities in Europe since World War II.

Question 7

In Darfur, how many ethnic minorities were killed by the Janjaweed militia?

Answer 7

Between 200,000 and 400,000

The Janjaweed militia was backed by the Sudanese government during the Darfur conflict.

Question 8

What is the estimated number of deaths in Gaza that some scholars have called genocide?

Answer 8

60,000+

The situation in Gaza has been a subject of intense debate regarding human rights and international law.

Question 9

What was the result of the international community’s failure to prevent atrocities in Srebrenica and Rwanda?

Answer 9

A renewed sense of urgency for humanitarian intervention

This led to increased discussions about the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect (R2P).

Question 10

What does the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) emphasize?

Answer 10

State sovereignty comes with the responsibility to protect its own citizens

If a state fails to protect its citizens, the international community has the responsibility to intervene.

Question 11

List some humanitarian interventions that occurred following the R2P doctrine.

Answer 11

• Kosovo 1999
• Sierra Leone 2000
• Central African Republic 2013
• Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo 2010
• Darfur 2004-2007
• Iraq and Syria 2014

These interventions were aimed at preventing or responding to humanitarian crises.

Question 12

What are some non-humanitarian considerations in intervention decisions?

Answer 12

• Domestic political pressures
• Alliances
• Geography
• Culture and language
• Ulterior political or economic motives
• Economic globalisation
• Political globalisation
• Backing of international organisations
• Realist concerns
• Exit strategy

These factors often influence the decision-making process regarding military intervention.

Question 13

True or False: The R2P doctrine was established in 2005.

Answer 13

True

The concept was formalized in a report by the United Nations Secretary-General.