Open AccessThe resort to military force in the COVID-19 health emergency: A justification
Author(s) -
Živorad Rašević
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
revista científica general josé maría córdova/revista científica general josé maría córdova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2500-7645
pISSN - 1900-6586
DOI - 10.21830/19006586.777
Subject(s) - principle of legality , political science , legitimacy , battlefield , law enforcement , covid-19 , human rights , pandemic , military medical ethics , use of force , national security , military science , law , public administration , international law , medicine , politics , medical ethics , ancient history , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , history
The COVID-19 pandemic has been mobilizing the full capacities of societies worldwide to respond to unprecedented threats to national and human security. In many cases, emergency measures have involved military support to civil institutions, including law enforcement operations. This paper aims to understand the legality and legitimacy of these military operations better, using hermeneutic, comparative, and survey methodology. It is based on the assumptions that international human rights standards crucially determine moral requirements for domestic use of military force and that just war theory can be equally helpful in the decision-making on domestic military operations in such circumstances. This study assesses the justification of current military enforcement and recommends criteria for future emergencies.