the Charter, Rwanda, Dallaire

The UN claims to have not been able to intervene due to national sovereignty. However, according to the UN charter, nations are obligated to intervene in human rights violations. While the UN claims to not be able to intervene, article 34 states: “The Security Council may investigate any dispute, or any situation which might lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute, in order to determine whether the continuance of the dispute or situation is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security.” This gives the UN the right to investigate any issues it deems dangerous to rights of individuals or groups. The UN knew about the genocide. The United States knew about the genocide. An interview with General Dallaire uncovers the “genocide fax.” While Dallaire was stationed in Rwanda, he sent a fax to the US warning them about large massacres and hinting to a possible genocide, “I was warning that there would be significant killings and massacres that would destabilize the whole political process,” (Dallaire). Also, article 37 says that if after a situation is assessed, and the UN sees the situation as dangerous, then the issue is given to the Security Council which has military power. Under article 41, the UN has the power to appoint sanctions. If sanctions do not work, then according to article 42 and 43 the UN may use force. Article 44 and 48 state if the UN decides to use force, then nations, or nations asked by the UN, are obliged to send armed forces to aid the UN.