Terrorism, war and international law: the legality of the use of force against Afghanistan in 2001

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dc.contributor.authorWilliamson, Myra Elsie Jane Bellen_NZ
dc.date.accessioned2007-07-16T10:38:19Z
dc.date.available2007-08-01T13:15:31Z
dc.date.issued2007en_NZ
dc.description.abstractThe thesis examines the international law pertaining to the use of force by states, in general, and to the use of force in self-defence, in particular. The main question addressed is whether the use of force, which was purported to be in self-defence, by the United States, the United Kingdom and their allies against al Qaeda, the Taliban and Afghanistan, beginning on 7 October 2001, was lawful. The thesis focuses not only on this specific use of force, but also on the changing nature of conflict, the definition of terrorism and on the historical evolution of limitations on the use of force, from antiquity until 2006. In the six chapters which trace the epochs of international law, the progression of five inter-related concepts is followed: limitations on the resort to force generally, the use of force in self-defence, pre-emptive self-defence, the use of forcible measures short of war, and the use of force in response to non-state actors. This historical analysis includes a particular emphasis on understanding the meaning of the 'inherent right of self-defence', which was preserved by Article 51 of the United Nations' Charter. This analysis is then applied to the use of force against Afghanistan which occurred in 2001. Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September, the US and the UK notified the United Nations Security Council of their resort to force in self-defence under Article 51. Each element of Article 51 is analysed and the thesis concludes that there are significant doubts as to the lawfulness of that decision to employ force. In addition to the self-defence justification, other possible grounds for intervention are also examined, such as humanitarian intervention, Security Council authorisation and intervention by invitation. This thesis challenges the common assumption that the use of force against Afghanistan was an example of states exercising their inherent right to self-defence. It argues that if this particular use of force is not challenged, it will lead to an expansion of the right of self-defence which will hinder rather than enhance international peace and security. Finally, this thesis draws on recent examples to illustrate the point that the use of force against Afghanistan could become a dangerous precedent for the use of force in self-defence.en_NZ
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dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.citationWilliamson, M. E. J. B. (2007). Terrorism, war and international law: the legality of the use of force against Afghanistan in 2001 (Thesis, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)). The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10289/2594en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10289/2594
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherThe University of Waikatoen_NZ
dc.rightsAll items in Research Commons are provided for private study and research purposes and are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
dc.subjectUnited Nations' Security Councilen_NZ
dc.subjectUnited Nations' General Assemblyen_NZ
dc.subjectopinio jurisen_NZ
dc.subjectextradite or prosecuteen_NZ
dc.subjectaut dedere aut judicareen_NZ
dc.subjectNorth Atlantic Treaty Organisationen_NZ
dc.subjectNATOen_NZ
dc.subjectpreambular paragraphsen_NZ
dc.subjectoperative paragraphsen_NZ
dc.subjectanticipatory self-defenceen_NZ
dc.subjectpreemptive self-defenceen_NZ
dc.subjectpre-emptive self-defenceen_NZ
dc.subjectpreemptionen_NZ
dc.subjectself-defenseen_NZ
dc.subjectself defenseen_NZ
dc.subjectconflict dataen_NZ
dc.subjectSecurity Council Resolution 1368 (2001)en_NZ
dc.subjectSecurity Council Resolution 1373 (2001)en_NZ
dc.subjectterrorism trendsen_NZ
dc.subjectUnited Nations Draft Convention on International Terrorismen_NZ
dc.subjectjust waren_NZ
dc.subjectPact of Parisen_NZ
dc.subjectKellogg-Briand Treatyen_NZ
dc.subjectTreaty of Westphaliaen_NZ
dc.subjectCovenant of the League of Nationsen_NZ
dc.subjectdefinition of aggressionen_NZ
dc.subjectchangin nature of conflicten_NZ
dc.subjectPresident George W Bushen_NZ
dc.subjectPrime Minister Tony Blairen_NZ
dc.subjectPrime Minister John Howarden_NZ
dc.subjectinternational reaction to terrorismen_NZ
dc.subject9/11en_NZ
dc.subject11 September 2001en_NZ
dc.subjectSeptember 11.en_NZ
dc.titleTerrorism, war and international law: the legality of the use of force against Afghanistan in 2001en_NZ
dc.typeThesisen_NZ
pubs.elements-id55695
pubs.place-of-publicationHamilton, New Zealanden_NZ
thesis.degree.disciplineLawen_NZ
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Waikatoen_NZ
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)en_NZ
uow.date.accession2007-07-16T10:38:19Zen_NZ
uow.date.available2007-08-01T13:15:31Zen_NZ
uow.date.migrated2009-06-14T21:47:46Zen_NZ
uow.identifier.adthttp://adt.waikato.ac.nz/public/adt-uow20070716.103819en_NZ
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