ABSTRACT
When a state by its behavior so outrages the conscience of mankind, no doctrine can be deployed to defend it against intervention. It is often argued that humanitarian intervention by another state or other states is allowed as a last resort, with or even without prior consent of the UN Security Council. In this chapter, this argument is examined and an answer is sought as to whether the term "humanitarian intervention" is properly used or should be rejected as a misnomer. The Security Council has primary responsibility to take as early as possible all necessary measures to prevent or end grave and massive violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that are considered a threat to or a breach of international peace and security. The term "humanitarian intervention" wrongly suggests that the intervention will take place using humanitarian means.
