UN Charter and Use of Force

HL Deb 27 October 1998 vol 593 cc213-4WA

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that the Charter of the United Nations permits, and the international rule of law can survive, claims by individual member states to a right of unilateral interpretation of UN Security Council Resolutions, and a right to engage in military operations under such unilateral interpretations. [HL3411]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The legal basis for any use of force depends upon all the circumstances at the time. These may include authorisation by the UN Security Council, whose resolutions must be interpreted and applied in good faith.