Affair Quote by Boris Yeltsin
“I refer to calls for humanitarian intervention in the affairs of another state - a new idea, this - even when they are made under the pretext of defending human rights and freedoms”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the Supreme Soviet, 1991
Intervention framed as humanitarian aid often masks political motives, even when invoking human rights.
In simple terms: Humanitarian claims can hide political aims.
Key Takeaway
Scrutinize motives behind interventions.
Themes
politics
human rights
sovereignty
intervention
ethics
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- UN debates
- foreign policy decisions
- NGO advocacy
- media reporting
Key Concepts
realpolitik
moral justification
sovereign integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence reveals true motives?
- How to balance rights with sovereignty?
A Different Perspective
Interventions may still violate international law despite noble rhetoric.
