HL Deb 07 July 1993 vol 547 c65WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In what circumstances alleged attempts on the lives of prominent citizens may trigger the "self defence" article of the United Nations Charter.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Article 51 of the United Nations Charter allows force to be used in exercise of a state's inherent right of individual or collective self defence. Such action should immediately be reported to the Security Council. As my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary said in his statement on 28th June, force may be used in self defence against threats to a state's nationals if:

  1. (a) there is good evidence that the target attacked would otherwise be continued to be used by the other state in support of terrorist attacks against one's nationals; and
  2. (b) there is effectively no other way to forestall imminent further attacks on one's nationals; and
  3. (c) the force employed is proportionate to the threat.