The Right to Self-Defense: Why Some People Don’t Get It
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been going on for more than seven years, and it shows no signs of abating. Despite the efforts of the international community to broker a peaceful resolution, the situation remains tense and volatile, with frequent violations of the ceasefire and human rights abuses. The war has claimed over 13,000 lives, displaced millions of people, and damaged the infrastructure and economy of both countries.
One of the most contentious and controversial issues in this conflict is the right to self-defense. Ukraine claims that it has a legitimate right to defend itself from Russian aggression, and that it has the right to use military force against Russian targets, both within and outside its territory, as long as those targets are directly involved in the armed attack against Ukraine. Russia denies that it is waging a war against Ukraine, and accuses Ukraine of provoking and escalating the conflict, and of violating international law and human rights by attacking civilian areas and infrastructure.
So who is right? And why do some people fail to understand or accept the concept of the right to self-defense in this case? In this blog post, I will try to answer these questions by examining some of the possible reasons behind this failure.
Lack of awareness or misinformation
One of the main reasons why some people fail to understand the right to self-defense in the case of the Ukraine war is that they are not well-informed or well-educated about the facts and circumstances of the conflict. They may not be aware of the history and background of the dispute, or of the current situation and developments on the ground. They may also have been exposed to propaganda or biased sources that present a distorted or false picture of the reality.
For example, some people may not know that Russia has been waging a hybrid war against Ukraine since 2014, when it illegally annexed Crimea and supported separatist forces in eastern Ukraine. They may not know that Russia has deployed thousands of troops, weapons, and equipment across the border with Ukraine, and that it has been directly involved in the fighting, providing military, financial, and political support to the rebels. They may also not know that Russia has violated several international agreements and norms, such as the Budapest Memorandum, the Minsk Agreements, and the UN Charter .
On the other hand, some people may not know that Ukraine has been subjected to an armed attack by Russia, which entitles it to react in self-defense and to seek the assistance of other states to assist in its self-defense . They may not know that Ukraine has been acting in accordance with international law and human rights, and that it has been exercising restraint and proportionality in its response. They may also not know that Ukraine has been cooperating with the international community and seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Double standards or hypocrisy
Another reason why some people fail to understand the right to self-defense in the case of the Ukraine war is that they apply different standards or criteria to judge the actions of different parties in the conflict. They may also have ulterior motives or interests that influence their views. They may condemn Ukraine for striking back at Russia, while ignoring or justifying Russia’s aggression and violations of international law. They may also accuse Ukraine of escalating the conflict or provoking Russia, while overlooking or downplaying Russia’s responsibility and role in the conflict.
For example, some people may argue that Ukraine has no right to use military force against Russian targets outside its territory, such as in Crimea or on Russian soil. They may claim that this constitutes an act of aggression or an infringement on Russia’s sovereignty. However, they may fail to acknowledge that Russia has already violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by annexing Crimea and supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine. They may also fail to recognize that Ukraine has a right to self-defense under international law, which allows it to take necessary measures to repel an armed attack by another state .
On the other hand, some people may argue that Russia has a right to intervene in Ukraine’s affairs, either to protect its national interests or its ethnic kin. They may claim that Russia is acting in accordance with international law or humanitarian principles. However, they may fail to admit that Russia has been violating international law and human rights by annexing Crimea and supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine. They may also fail to acknowledge that Russia has been the main aggressor and instigator of the conflict, and that it has been undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Moral relativism or pacifism
A third reason why some people fail to understand the right to self-defense in the case of the Ukraine war is that they reject the idea that there is a clear distinction between right and wrong, or between aggressor and victim, in the conflict. They may argue that both sides are equally to blame, or that violence is never justified, regardless of the circumstances. They may also deny that Ukraine has a legitimate right to self-defense, or that self-defense can include military strikes on Russian territory, as long as those strikes hit military targets. They may also question the proportionality or necessity of Ukraine’s actions, or the effectiveness or consequences of its strategy.
For example, some people may argue that Ukraine and Russia are both guilty of causing or contributing to the conflict, and that they should both stop fighting and negotiate a peaceful settlement. They may claim that there is no moral difference between the two sides, or that there is no clear evidence of who started or escalated the conflict. However, they may ignore or disregard the fact that Russia has been the main perpetrator and initiator of the conflict, and that it has been violating international law and human rights by annexing Crimea and supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine.
On the other hand, some people may argue that Ukraine should not resort to violence to defend itself from Russian aggression, and that it should instead pursue diplomatic or non-violent means to resolve the conflict. They may claim that violence only breeds more violence, or that war is never a solution. However, they may overlook or underestimate the gravity and urgency of the situation, and the threat that Russia poses to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They may also overlook or underestimate the legitimacy and necessity of Ukraine’s right to self-defense, which is recognized by international law and supported by many states .
Conclusion
The right to self-defense is one of the most fundamental and important rights in international law and human rights. It is also one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted rights in the case of the Ukraine war. Many people fail to understand or accept this concept for various reasons, such as lack of awareness or misinformation, double standards or hypocrisy, or moral relativism or pacifism. However, there are ways to help them understand this concept better, such as raising their awareness and providing them with accurate information, exposing and challenging their double standards or hypocrisy, or challenging their moral relativism or pacifism.
By doing so, we can hope to foster a more informed and balanced dialogue about the conflict, and to promote a more peaceful and just resolution of the dispute.
