Neither willing to engage in a meaningful way to save targeted civilians in Iraq, Bosnia and Rwanda nor stand entirely aside as massive violations of humanitarian law occurred, states embraced safety zones as a means to 'do something' whilst avoiding being drawn into open warfare.
Humanitarian Intervention and Safety Zones: Iraq, Bosnia and Rwanda
explores why and how effectively safety zones were implemented as a way to protect civilians and displace persons in three of the most important conflicts of the 1990s. It shows how states consistently sought to reconcile their political and humanitarian interest, a process which often led to problematic and ambiguous outcomes, and assesses in fascinating detail the difficulties and controversies surrounding the use of such zones, variously called safe havens, safe areas, secure humanitarian areas, and zones humanitaires sures. The book also asks whether or not such zones could serve as precedents for possible future attempts to ensure the safety of civilians in complex humanitarian emergencies.

List of Figures
List of Acronyms
Acknowldgements
Introduction
Providing Comfort at Home: Safe Haven in Iraq
Only So Far But No Further: Safe Areas in Bosnia
A Decision Not to Act: Proposed UN Secure Humanitarian Areas in Rwanda
Too Little, Too Late: France's Zone Humanitaire Sure in Rwanda
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index

CAROL MCQUEEN is Political Affairs Officer with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.