The prohibition of the use of force in international relations and the exception of self-defence

Authors

  • Inês de Melo e Silva Gomes Mestre em Direito - Mestrado em Ciências Jurídico-Políticas / Menção em Direito Internacional Público e Europeu, pela Universidade de Coimbra - Faculdade de Direito

Abstract

The present article focuses on the prohibition of the use of force in international relations and, specifically, on the exception of self-defence, considering the current international society. Starting by an analysis of the evolution concerning the use of force in international relations, we will then try to figure out the meaning of the prohibition on the use of force established in the Charter of the United Nations. Then, we will observe one of the exceptions to the mentioned principle – the right of self-defence. In this context, we will examine its elements and the different perspectives concerning its extent and, posteriorly, we will look at the well-known Nicaragua case – a case considered by the International Court of Justice in the 1980s, which constitutes a relevant contribution to the comprehension of the criteria of self-defence. We will also observe this figure considering the Operation “Enduring Freedom”, developed after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Finally, we will reflect on the mentioned aspects, presenting our conclusions about the prohibition on the use of force and the scope of self-defence in the contemporary international society, a society affected by serious problems related to the technological developments of the last decades - like terrorism or cyber warfare.

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Published

2019-11-24

How to Cite

Gomes, I. de M. e S. (2019). The prohibition of the use of force in international relations and the exception of self-defence. Revista Jurídica Portucalense, (25), 27–53. Retrieved from https://revistas.rcaap.pt/juridica/article/view/16762

Issue

Section

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH