Written question asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 27 March 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 April 2025. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 April 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Defence

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government how they define the difference between the right to defend and an offensive action by a state.

Answer: As recognised in Article 51 of the UN Charter, States have the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence against armed attack. Self-defence permits States to use necessary and proportionate force to repel such armed attacks. States’ uses of force outside of self-defence or absent some other legal basis such as a Chapter 7 UN Security Council Resolution, consent or humanitarian intervention would be unlawful as a matter of international law.

Secondary information