General Conclusions

Abstract

This chapter traces the evolution in the notion of humanitarian intervention and recapitulates the conclusions from the prior case studies. The persistent redefinition of the criteria of humanitarian crises – the basis for humanitarian intervention – as well as the types of international response demonstrates the importance of the mediation and contextualization of conflicts. The rhetoric, such as genocide, civil war, or insurgency, employed to describe humanitarian crises offered an important window into the increasingly politicized nature of humanitarian crises and humanitarian intervention, but similarly prompted questions on ways to downplay the influence of international politics.

Keywords: Human rights, Humanitarian, Humanitarian assistance, International System, Euphemization of the use of force, Politicized rhetoric, History of humanitarian intervention, History of humanitarian crises, International politics, post-Cold War paradigm, United Nations Security Council (UNSC), UNSC mandated intervention, International law, Rhetoric of intervention, International conflict, United Nations Security System, Genocide, Ethnocide, Instrumentalization of terminology, United Nations General Assembly.