Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-13T11:57:28.417Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

7 - The concept of self-defence

from Part III - Exceptions to the prohibition of the use of inter-State force

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Yoram Dinstein
Yoram Dinstein
Affiliation:
Tel-Aviv University
Get access

Summary

The meaning of self-defence

494. In its 1996 Advisory Opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, the International Court of Justice said:

Furthermore, the Court cannot lose sight of the fundamental right of every State to survival, and thus its right to resort to self-defence, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter, when its survival is at stake.

The implication is that the right of self-defence is engendered by, and embedded in, the fundamental right of States to survival. However, the Court itself acknowledged that ‘the very survival of a State would be at stake’ only ‘in an extreme circumstance of self-defence’ (see the full quotation, in its context, supra 462). Extreme circumstances of self-defence – when the very survival of a State is imperilled – do arise from time to time, but the exercise of self-defence is by no means confined to such catastrophic scenarios. The reality of self-defence in inter-State relations is much more prosaic: it transcends life-or-death existential crises and impinges on a host of commonplace situations involving the use of counter-force.

495. The essence of self-defence is self-help: under certain conditions set by international law, a State acting unilaterally – perhaps in association with other countries – may respond with lawful force to unlawful force (or, according to some, to the imminent threat of unlawful force). The reliance on self-help, as a remedy available to States when their rights are violated, is and always has been one of the hallmarks of international law. Self-help is a characteristic feature of all primitive legal systems, but in international law it has been honed to art form.

Type
Chapter
Information
War, Aggression and Self-Defence , pp. 187 - 241
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Weightman, M. A. Self-Defense in International Law 37 Vir.LR 1095 1951 Google Scholar
Rogoff, M. A. Collins, E. The Incident and the Development of International Law 16 Bn.JIL 493 1990 Google Scholar
Giraud, E. La Théorie de la Légitime Défense 49 RCADI 687 1934 Google Scholar
Kunz, J. L. Individual and Collective Self-Defense in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations 41 AJIL 872 1947 Google Scholar
Verhoeven, J. Les “Etirements” de la Légitime Défense 48 AFDI 49 2002 Google Scholar
Nagy, K. Le Problème de la Légitime Défense en Droit International 55 1992
Vattel, The Law of Nations or the Principles of Natural Law Fenwick, C. G. 246 1916
Zourek, J. La Notion de Légitime Défense en Droit International 56 AIDI 1 Wiesbaden 1975 Google Scholar
Verdross, A. Austria’s Permanent Neutrality and the United Nations Organization 50 AJIL 61 1956 Google Scholar
Operational Law Handbook 85 2007
Rosenne, S. Essays on International Law and Practice 638 2007
Schwarzenberger, G. The Fundamental Principles of International Law 87 RCADI 191 1955 Google Scholar
Rubin, A. P. Book Review 81 AJIL 254 1987 Google Scholar
Reisman, W. M. The Past and Future of the Claim of Preemptive Self-Defense 100 AJIL 525 2006 Google Scholar
ILS 263 Thomas, A. R. Duncan, J. C. 1999
Preemptive Action in Self-Defense: National Security Strategy 2002 Digest of United States Practice in International Law 947 Cummins, S. J. Stewart, D. P.
Sofaer, A. D. On the Necessity of Pre-emption 14 EJIL 209 2003 Google Scholar
Wall, A. E. International Law and the Bush Doctrine 34 IHYR 193 2004 Google Scholar
Rezac, D. President Bush’s Security Strategy and Its “Pre-Emptive Strikes Doctrine” – A Legal Basis for the War against Iraq? 7 ARIEL 223 2002 Google Scholar
Waxman, M. C. The Use of Force against States that Have Weapons of Mass Destruction 31 Mich.JIL 1 2009 Google Scholar
Murphy, S. D. The Doctrine of Preemptive Self-Defense 50 Vill.LR 699 2005 Google Scholar
Shah, N. A. Self-Defence, Anticipatory Self-Defence and Pre-emption: International Law’s Response to Terrorism 12 JCSL 95 2007 Google Scholar
Bowett, D. W. Self-Defence in International Law 187 1958
McDougal, M. S. Feliciano, F. P. Law and Minimum World Public Order 232 1961
Cohan, J. A. The Bush Doctrine and the Emerging Norm of Anticipatory Self-Defense in Customary International Law 15 PILR 283 2003 Google Scholar
Greig, D. W. International Law 894 1976
Hamid, A. G. The Legality of Anticipatory Self-Defence in the 21st Century World Order: A Re-appraisal 54 NILR 441 2007 Google Scholar
Beckett, W. E. The North Atlantic Treaty, the Brussels Treaty and the Charter of the United Nations 13 1950
Skubiszewski, K. Use of Force by States. Collective Security. Law of War and Neutrality Manual of Public International Law 739 767 Sørensen, M. 1968 Google Scholar
D’Amato, A. Israel’s Air Strike upon the Iraqi Nuclear Reactor 77 AJIL 584 1983 Google Scholar
Wright, Q. The Cuban Quarantine 57 AJIL 546 1963 Google Scholar
McDougal, M. S. The Soviet-Cuban Quarantine and Self-Defense 57 AJIL 597 1963 Google Scholar
Ruys, T. ‘Armed Attack’ and Article 51 of the UN Charter 35 363 2010
McCormack, T. L. H. Self-Defense in International Law: The Israeli Raid on the Iraqi Nuclear Reactor 295 1996
Myjer, E. Book Review 2 LJIL 278 1989 Google Scholar
Miller, E. Self-Defence, International Law, and the Six Day War 20 Is.LR 49 1985 Google Scholar
Zourek, J. L’Interdiction de L’Emploi de la Force en Droit International 106 1974
Lapidoth, R. The Security Council in the May 1967 Crisis: A Study in Frustration 4 Is.LR 534 1969 Google Scholar
Keesing’s Record of World Events 42997 1999
Gray, C. The Eritrea/Ethiopia Claims Commission Oversteps Its Boundaries: A Partial Award? 17 EJIL 699 2006 Google Scholar
Aust, A. Handbook of International Law 211 2010
Pogany, I. Book Review 38 ICLQ 435 1989 Google Scholar
Whiteman, M. M. Digest of International Law 867 1965
Shaw, M. N. International Law 1130 2008
Antonopoulos, C. Force by Armed Groups as Armed Attack and the Broadening of Self-Defence 55 NILR 159 2008 Google Scholar
Yoo, J. Using Force 71 UChi.LR 729 2004 Google Scholar
Self-Defence 72 AIDI 233 2007
Bermejo-García, R. Preventive Self-Defence against International Terrorism International Legal Dimension of Terrorism 177 196 Fernández-Sánchez, P. A. 2009 Google Scholar
Rivkin, D. B. Casey, L. A. Using Force Lawfully in the 21st Century 81 ILS 319 Sparks, T. M. Sulmasy, G. M. 2006 Google Scholar
Dinstein, Y. The Legal Issues of “Para-War” and Peace in the Middle East 44 St.JLR 466 1970 Google Scholar
Walker, G. K. Anticipatory Collective Self-Defense in the Charter Era: What the Treaties Have Said 72 ILS 365 Schmitt, M. N. 1998 Google Scholar
Hargrove, J. L. The Judgment and the Future of the Law of Force and Self- Defense 81 AJIL 135 1987 Google Scholar
Franck, T. M. Some Observations on the ICJ’s Procedural and Substantive Innovations 81 AJIL 116 1987 Google Scholar
Sohn, L. B. The International Court of Justice and the Scope of the Right of Self-Defense and the Duty of Non-Intervention International Law at a Time of Perplexity: Essays in Honour of Shabtai Rosenne 869 878 Dinstein, Y. 1989 Google Scholar
Fitzmaurice, G. G. The Definition of Aggression 1 ICLQ 137 1952 Google Scholar
Badr, G. M. The Exculpatory Effect of Self-Defense in State Responsibility 10 Ga.JICL 1 1980 Google Scholar
Taft IV, W. H. Self-Defense and the Decision 29 YJIL 295 2004 Google Scholar
Bellier, S. Unilateral and Multilateral Preventive Self-Defense 58 MaineLR 508 2006 Google Scholar
Kwast, P. J. Maritime Law Enforcement and the Use of Force: Reflections on the Categorisation of Forcible Action at Sea in the Light of the Award 13 JCSL 49 2008 Google Scholar
O’Connell, D. P. The International Law of the Sea 297 1982
Schachter, O. International Law in the Hostage Crisis: Implications for Future Cases American Hostages in Iran 325 328 Christopher, W. 1985 Google Scholar
Stein, T. L. Contempt, Crisis, and the Court: The World Court and the Hostage Rescue Attempt 76 AJIL 499 1982 Google Scholar
Wedgwood, R. Responding to Terrorism: The Strikes against Bin Laden 24 YJIL 559 1999 Google Scholar
Maggs, G. E. The Campaign to Restrict the Right to Respond to Terrorist Attacks in Self-Defense under Article 51 of the U. N. Charter and What the United States Can Do about It 4 RJIL 149 2006 Google Scholar
Ronzitti, N. Missile Warfare and Nuclear Warheads – An Appraisal in the Light of the 1996 ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons 27 IYHR 251 1997 Google Scholar
Vermeer, A. A Legal Exploration of Force Application in Outer Space 46 MLLWR 299 2007 Google Scholar
Walker, G. K. The Tanker War, 1980–88: Law and Policy 118 120 2000
Fenrick, W. J. Legal Limits on the Use of Force by Canadian Warships Engaged in Law Enforcement 18 CYIL 113 1980 Google Scholar
Arangio-Ruiz, G. The Normative Role of the General Assembly of the United Nations and the Declaration of Principles of Friendly Relations 137 RCADI 419 1972 Google Scholar
Fawcett, J. E. S. Intervention in International Law. A Study of Some Recent Cases 103 RCADI 343 1961 Google Scholar
Schweisfurth, T. Operations to Rescue Nationals in Third States Involving the Use of Force in Relation to the Protection of Human Rights 23 GYIL 159 1980 Google Scholar
Zedalis, R. Protection of Nationals Abroad: Is Consent the Basis of Legal Obligation? 25 Tex.ILJ 209 1990 Google Scholar
Ruys, T. The “Protection of Nationals” Doctrine Revisited 13 JCSL 233 2008 Google Scholar
Ronzitti, N. Rescuing Nationals Abroad through Military Coercion and Intervention on Grounds of Humanity 65 1985
Schmitt, M. N. “Change Direction” 2006: Israeli Operations in Lebanon and the International Law of Self-Defense 84 ILS 265 Carsten, M. D. 2008 Google Scholar
Zimmermann, A. The Second Lebanon War: and the Issue of Proportionality 11 MPYUNL 99 2007 Google Scholar
Condorelli, L. The Imputability to States of Acts of International Terrorism 19 IYHR 233 1989 Google Scholar
Rowles, J. P. “Secret Wars”, Self-Defense and the Charter – A Reply to Professor Moore 80 AJIL 568 1986 Google Scholar
Cassin, V. Debevoise, W. Kailes, H. Thompson, T. W. The Definition of Aggression 16 Har.ILJ 589 1975 Google Scholar
Blum, Y. Z. State Response to Acts of Terrorism 19 GYIL 223 1976 Google Scholar
La Haye, E. War Crimes in Internal Armed Conflicts 19 2008
de Hoogh, A. J. J. Articles 4 and 8 of the 2001 ILC Articles on State Responsibility, the Case and Attribution of Acts of Bosnian Serb Authorities to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 72 BYBIL 255 2001 Google Scholar
Griebel, J. Plücken, M. New Developments Regarding the Rules of Attribution? The International Court of Justice’s Decision in 21 LJIL 601 2008 Google Scholar
Cassese, A. The and Tests Revisited in Light of the ICJ Judgment on Genocide in Bosnia 18 EJIL 649 2007 Google Scholar
Murphy, S. D. Terrorism and the Concept of “Armed Attack” in Article 51 of the U. N. Charter 43 Har.ILJ 41 2002 Google Scholar
Janse, D. International Terrorism and Self-Defence 36 IYHR 149 2006 Google Scholar
Murphy, S. D. Self-Defense and the Israeli Advisory Opinion: An from the ICJ? 99 AJIL 62 2005 Google Scholar
Stahn, C. Terrorist Acts as “Armed Attack”: The Right to Self-Defense, Article 51 (½) of the UN Charter, and International Terrorism 27 FFWA 35 2003 Google Scholar
Stahn, C. International Law at a Crossroads? The Impact of September 11 62 ZAORV 183 2002 Google Scholar
Sucharitkul, S. Terrorism as an International Crime: Questions of Responsibility and Complicity 19 IYHR 247 1989 Google Scholar
Delbrück, J. The Fight against Global Terrorism: Self-Defense or Collective Security as International Police Action? Some Comments on the International Legal Implications of the “War against Terrorism” 44 GYIL 9 2001 Google Scholar
Schachter, O. The Lawful Use of Force by a State against Terrorists in Another Country 19 IYHR 209 1989 Google Scholar
32 RDSC 18 1977
Kress, C. Some Reflections on the International Legal Framework Governing Transnational Armed Conflicts 15 JCSL 245 2010 Google Scholar
Ruys, T. Verhoeven, S. Attacks by Private Actors and the Right of Self-Defence 10 JCSL 289 2005 Google Scholar
Myjer, E. P. J. White, N. D. The Twin Towers Attack: An Unlimited Right to Self-Defence? 7 JCSL 5 2002 Google Scholar
Kittrich, J. Can Self-Defense Serve as an Appropriate Tool against International Terrorism? 61 MaineLR 133 2009 Google Scholar
2001 2001 RDSC 290
2001 2001 RDSC 291
40 ILM 1267 2001
40 ILM 1273 2001
Sloane, R. D. The Cost of Conflation: Preserving the Dualism of and in the Contemporary Law of War 34 YJIL 47 2009 Google Scholar
Wedgwood, R. The ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Israeli Security Fence and the Limits of Self-Defense 99 AJIL 52 2005 Google Scholar
Müllerson, R. and International Terrorism 32 IYHR 1 2002 Google Scholar
Akehurst’s, Modern Introduction to International Law 316 Malanczuk, P. 1997
Roscini, M. World Wide Warfare – and the Law of Cyber Force 14 MPYUNL 85 2010 Google Scholar
Wilmshurst, E. The Chatham House Principles of International Law on the Use of Force in Self-Defence 55 ICLQ 963 2006 Google Scholar
Kolb, R. Ius Contra Bellum: Le Droit International Relatif au Maintien de la Paix 290 2009
Green, J. A. Self-Defence: A State of Mind for States? 55 NILR 181 2008 Google Scholar
Green, J. A. Docking the : Understanding the Relevance of the Formula in Contemporary Customary International Law Concerning Self-Defense 14 Car.JICL 429 2006 Google Scholar
Henderson, C. The 2010 United States National Security Strategy and the Obama Doctrine of “Necessary Force” 15 JCSL 403 2010 Google Scholar
Gazzini, T. The Changing Rules on the Use of Force in International Law 143 2005
The Oxford Companion to World War II 489 Dear, I. C. B. 1995
Arai-Takahashi, Y. Shifting Boundaries of the Right of Self-Defense – Appraising the Impact of the September 11 Attacks on 36 Int.Law 1081 2002 Google Scholar
Dinh, N. Q. La Légitime Défense d’après la Charte des Nations Unies 52 RGDIP 223 1948 Google Scholar
Bilder, R. B. The Fact/Law Distinction in International Adjudication Fact-Finding before International Tribunals 95 Lillich, R. B. 1992 Google Scholar
Security Council Resolutions 37 RDSC 5 1982
Gray, C. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Civil War or Inter-State Conflict? Characterization and Consequences 67 BYBIL 155 1996 Google Scholar
Chayes, A. The Use of Force in the Persian Gulf Law and Force in the New International Order 3 5 Damrosch, L. F. Scheffer, D. J. 1991 Google Scholar
Schachter, O. United Nations Law in the Gulf Conflict 85 AJIL 453 1991 Google Scholar
Plofchan, T. K. Article 51: Limits on Self-Defense? 13 Mich.JIL 336 1991 Google Scholar
Rostow, E. V. Until What? Enforcement Action or Collective Self-Defense? 85 AJIL 506 1991 Google Scholar
40 ILM 1281 2001
Bailey, S. D. Daws, S. The Procedure of the UN Security Council 103 1998
Greig, D. W. Self-Defence and the Security Council: What Does Article 51 Require? 40 ICLQ 366 1991 Google Scholar
Moore, J. N. The Secret War in Central America and the Future of World Order 80 AJIL 43 1986 Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×