If there is breach of universally recognized civil rights in a sovereign state over its citizens, then humanitarian intervention is not permitted because it is a breach of state sovereignty.

International relations, political science, international and national comparative law and political philosophy are the main fields which discuss the humanitarian intervention.

Many argue that the notion of humanitarian intervention represents a coercive mode of liberal imperialism of Western ideas and ideals.

One of the main problems with intervention is who the authority will be and who is going to decide whether intervention is legitimate.