4 The Use of Force after the UN Charter

Abstract

This chapter begins with the prohibition on the use of force contained in the UN Charter in 1945. It explores what constitutes as an illegal use of force under the UN Charter, looking at the exceptions to the prohibition, use of force in self-defence, authorization by the UN Security Council, and intervention by invitation. There is an examination of what constitutes a war of aggression and the crime of aggression. The Chapter ends with a consideration of the claim that force can be used for the purpose of humanitarian intervention.