HL Deb 25 May 1999 vol 601 c74WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to secure the acceptance in international law of the doctrine of "overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe", under which NATO intervention in Yugoslavia has been deemed lawful. [HL2509]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The military action in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, undertaken out of overwhelming humanitarian necessity, is already justifiable under international law.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 16 November 1998 (WA 140), what is the period during which "a limited use of force … in support of purposes laid down by the Security Council … to avert an immediate and overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe" remains lawful, without further recourse 10 the Security Council; and whether, if the use of force fails to avert the humanitarian catastrophe, continuation in the use of force remains lawful. [HL2512]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

This will depend on the details of each individual case.