HL Deb 23 April 2004 vol 660 c66WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, and if so upon what basis and in what circumstances, they consider that the rules of international law authorise armed intervention by the United Kingdom to change the governments of foreign states. [HL1818]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

Under international law, force may be used in three circumstances:

  1. a) When authority is provided by the United Nations Security Council acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Security Council resolutions adopted under Chapter VII were the authority for military action in Iraq, as set out in the Answer given by my noble and learned friend the Attorney-General on 17 March 2003 (Official Report, Cols. WA 2–3).
  2. b) In exercise of the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence recognised in Article 51 of the UN Charter, as was the case with US action in Afghanistan in 2001.
  3. c) In exceptional circumstances, when it is the only way to avert an overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe, as in Kosovo in 1999.

The objectives of military action will vary.