ABSTRACT
The prohibition of the threat of, or the use of force contained in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter constitutes a cornerstone of international law and is also a rule of customary law. However, the prohibition is not absolute, as the UN Charter recognises two exceptions: the right to self-defence, and the use of force by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) when appropriate. Other exceptions, which are not mentioned in the UN Charter, have been established under international law; some are recognised by the international community, others are of a more doubtful nature.
