A Critical Analysis of the Use of Force and Self-Defence in International Law

This paper critically examines the complex relationship between the prohibition of the use of force and the right of self-defence under international law. While the UN Charter and other legal instruments emphasize the primacy of peaceful dispute resolution and the general prohibition on the use of force, the inherent right of states to self-defence continues to generate legal and ethical dilemmas. The study explores the evolution and interpretation of these principles through key international frameworks, including the League of Nations Covenant, the Pact of Paris (Kellogg-Briand Pact), and the United Nations Charter.