The foundation(s) of Humanitarian Intervention - Where did it all begin?

Humanitarian Intervention is not a new and novel concept. However, it has garnered significant attention since the dawn of the Twentieth Century. Each decade since 1900 has added substance to the role of humanitarianism within the realm of the international community. In order to understand the struggle in the evolving norm of “Responsibility to Protect”, a brief chronological explanation is advantageous to this research project.  This blog post will highlight the inception of the concept of humanitarianism. Future blog posts will highlight the shift in the norm, as well as the implications that it has had on the international community.

How did Humanitarianism enter the political lexicon?

The vision of a community of peaceful nations was first articulated by Immanuel Kant’s treatise “Towards Perpetual Peace” in 1795. His vision encompassed a community existing in peace, free of threat of aggression. His philosophical discoveries have influenced many philanthropists, politicians, and diplomats since publication – and continue to echo into modernity.

One of the first international acknowledgements of humanitarian intervention manifested during the Franco-Prussian War. When Henry Dunant witnessed the battle of Solfernio, he recognized the immediate need to reduce battlefield suffering. He captured his epiphany in his book “A Memory of Solfernio”, which reached acclaim and international support.  Due to this text, Dunant was able to generate support from prominent and influential Swiss families and built the foundation of the International Committee of the Red Cross under the name of “Geneva Society for Public Welfare”.

This original conference outlined the following proposals for humanitarian motivated actions:

·         The foundation of national relief societies for wounded soldiers;

·         Neutrality and protection for wounded soldiers;

·         The utilization of volunteer forces for relief assistance on the battlefield;

·         The organization of additional conferences to enact these concepts in legally binding international treaties; and

·         The introduction of a common distinctive protection symbol for medical personnel in the field, namely a white armlet bearing a cross.

From this initial conference, the Swiss Government hosted a conference of over 30 nations in 1864, which adopted proposals and enacted the first international treaty along humanitarian lines – the First Geneva Convention. While this was initially focused on the treatment (and relief) of soldiers engaged in combat, subsequent conflicts demonstrated the need to update the treaty with rapid and significant changes.

Without diving too deep into the particulars of the First Geneva Convention, this historical precedent indicates a dynamic shift in the international perception of conflict and the results of war. For the first time in recorded history, “protected status” was afforded to specific categories of persons. The codification of this treaty led to a process of reexamination of protected statuses and introduced concepts of rights and privileges during a time of conflict. Furthermore, the acceptance of the First Geneva Convention, spearheaded by the International Committee of the Red Cross, is the first demonstration of acceptable “intervention” by the international community.

How is this a shift in a norm?

In order to understand the current construct of “Responsibility to Protect”, the historical evolution of the concept is necessary. Henry Dunant’s realization during the Franco-Prussian War signified that responsibility to care and treat wounded soldiers was not universal on the battlefield. As such, his efforts to establish the International Committee of the Red Cross opened the discussion of intervention by an outside actor. Indirectly, he challenged the notion of national sovereignty and introduced awareness of war effects to the international community.

As future blog posts will demonstrate, the First Geneva Convention is the foundation for the contentious debate that is ongoing over Responsibility to Protect. Throughout this discovery, the issues surrounding Armed Humanitarian Intervention as well as the codification of principles and values by the international community will be examined.