Topic: 2026 – Clarification of Article 51
Country: Denmark
Delegate Name: KenZie Low
Article 51 is an exception to the prohibition of the use of force defined by Article 2 by defining that any State that is a target of an armed attack has the right to self-defense or collective defence, as long as this use of force is immediately reported and does not interfere with the powers of the UNSC. The ambiguity regarding an armed attack, reports to the Security Council, and infringements of sovereignty have caused controversial uses of force throughout international history. Denmark is worried about the ambiguity that exists when defining an armed attack; however, the nation is an adamant believer in collective self-defense while maintaining sovereignty, and typically adheres to international law with respect to R2P.
Denmark is an avid believer in collective self-defense as a founding member of NATO and a presiding country of the EU. The nation abides by Article 5 and Article 42(7) of NATO and the Treaty of the European Union (TEU), respectively. These articles state that members of the respective organizations are obliged to provide aid and assistance to target member states of armed attacks with all the power possible in adherence to Article 51. However, Denmark understands that collective self-defense brings issues of state sovereignty. After witnessing cases of physical coercion, such as Nicaragua v United States (ICJ), Denmark condemns collective self-defense that contradicts the political and territorial independence of the target state. Instead, Denmark has urged the responsive use of force to be ‘necessary and proportionate.’ For example, Denmark has exercised collective self-defense under the consent of Iraq and Syria against ISIL. This also supports Denmark’s belief that non-state actors are just as capable of an armed attack as a State actor because the ISIL posed an international threat, stated in Article 222 of the TFEU. Along with acknowledging non-state actors, Denmark noted in a 2023 position paper that armed attacks can extend to cyberspace if cyberattacks cause physical and humanitarian damage or a loss of functioning in the government. Denmark typically does not intervene except when there is a call to R2P (Responsibility to Protect), the 2005 UN Doctrine that calls upon the international community to prevent serious international crimes. The nation has intervened in collective self-defense in the NATO inception of Kosovo in 1999 and Iraq in 2003 to continue the agenda of R2P. In every instance Denmark has engaged in collective self-defense, the nation has been committed to providing formal letters as swiftly as possible to the UNSC to ensure credibility in self-defense measures. Besides collective self-defense, Denmark is currently wary about the territorial aggressions that the United States is placing within its own territory, Greenland. The nation reported that Denmark and the EU have every right to have a proactive approach in defending a potential armed attack against Greenland, as stated in the 1952 Danish Royal Decree.
Denmark calls for a broader, proactive interpretation of Article 51 in terms of self-defense and an armed attack to protect its own and allied nations’ political and territorial integrity. Nonetheless, the nation believes that Article 51 should address the ‘necessary and proportionate aspect’ of the use of self-defense. Denmark fully advocates for collective self-defense under NATO and the EU, but urges these to respect the target state’s sovereignty and report immediately and in detail as to why the self-defense was warranted to the UNSC. Denmark understands that immediate reporting is not always feasible, so it is open to deciding a feasible timeframe with other nations. Denmark also calls for the extension of Article 51 to non-state actors, cybersecurity, and increased flexibility for the Kingdom to define Overseas Countries and Territories. Overall, Denmark looks forward to collaborating with other nations to ensure that the right to self-defense is respected, but is no longer enacted incorrectly or immorally.
Works Cited
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