Revisiting the Content of United Nations General Assembly Resolutions in Shaping and Expanding the International Legal Content of Humanitarian Assistance

Abstract

Providing timely and adequate humanitarian access to those affected by natural disasters and conflicts remains a key subject of the United Nations (UN) Summits. This article examines the role of UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions in the formation and advancement of the international legal framework for humanitarian assistance. To examine this role, this article first examines the main international legal provisions developed within the framework of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, and how they apply to situations requiring humanitarian assistance. The article then provides a comprehensive analysis of UNGA resolutions titled “Strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the UN.” This analysis coverage began with the first adopted resolution in 1991 and continued through the most recent resolution adopted in 2022. This article notes how the UNGA identifies the key principles of humanitarian assistance, which are impartiality, neutrality, independence, and humanity that are considered to have a key role in addressing the issues related to humanitarian assistance from the UNGA’s perspective. The analysis reveals the relevant international legal rules applicable to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and demonstrates the critical role of the UNGA in defining the legal grounds for humanitarian assistance. UNGA resolutions cover multiple responsibilities and obligations of states and the international community relevant to humanitarian assistance. The article concludes that UNGA resolutions have played a crucial and significant role in defining, clarifying, and expanding the international legal context for humanitarian assistance.

Keywords

• Humanitarian assistance
• International humanitarian law
• International human rights law
• UN General Assembly
• State responsibility

İnsani Yardımın Uluslararası Hukukî İçeriğinin Şekillendirilmesi ve Genişletilmesinde Birleşmiş Milletler Genel Kurulu Kararlarının İçeriğinin Yeniden İncelenmesi

Abstract

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