The Post-Cold War Promises of Third Party Military Interventions: Implications for Core Human and Political Rights

Since the end of the Cold War, and especially since the adoption of the Responsibility to Protect doctrine, third party military interventions are only justified in cases of large-scale human rights violations. However, the number of military interventions did not decrease since 1989. A large-N study is done to measure the effect of third party military interventions since 1989 on core human right practices. It is argued that five years after an intervention takes place, there will be less physical harm to citizens. However, the effect on political rights appears to be diminishing. In addition, to contribute to the discussion as to who should intervene, an analysis about the intervener’s political system is included in this article. The results impose important questions and debates, both about the intentions and effects of foreign troops intervening in a conflict, as the conceptualization and cultural debate with regard to human rights violations.