'Humanitarian' intervention : from the prevention theory to the last resort

Abstract

What has instigated me in exploring deeper the field of conflict prevention is summarized in the fact that the only other alternative left for the international community would be to sit idle and watch while genocides and other heinous crimes are perpetrated against innocent and defenseless people, or, to conduct military interventions which result in increasing the number of victims while in many cases not producing the necessary results, which are halting gross human rights violations and rebuilding solid societies. On the other hand, preventive strategies which are well-organized and undertaken by multiple actors with expertise in the fields of social, political, economical and intergroup development, in addition with the indispensable assistance of local actors who can provide comprehensive knowledge for local conditions, can comprise the key towards a future where peace, respect for diversity and human value will not constitute a goal to be achieved but a way of life. Most importantly though this can be attained with the minimum cost in human lives. Conflict prevention though it may not be able to stop wars that have already started, has the power to deter not only future internal conflicts but also international criminality and regional instability. It is, therefore, a challenge worth undertaking rather than remaining indolent in the face of war crimes and ethnic cleansing.