The European founders of national sovereignty did not envisage a ruler would spring up and mercilessly torture or kill his subjects and tell outsiders with impunity not to interfere in his country's internal affairs. In Europe, sovereignty is respected and cherished. Their citizens are happy with the rule of law.

This is not the case in developing countries where citizens are at the mercy of rulers. The one important thing leaders in developing countries seem to understand and implement religiously from the UN Charter is the non- interference principle.

The core spirit of the UN Charter was based on the well being of the individual in any part of the globe. This is very well captured in the preamble, among other things, "To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women of nations, large and small."

And further guaranteed in Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that "No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment." That is why I agreed with US intervention in Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein. Unfortunately, there are still many Saddams left, especially in Africa.

Look at Zimbabwe for a moment. Inflation is reported at over 15 million percent. There is acute food shortage. What is available is only given to political supporters. Good Samaritans who want to give food aid are not allowed. Political opponents are tortured, killed, or imprisoned. Only one person contests against himself in the presidential elections. Farms are forcibly taken away from rightful owners. Nearly half the population are refugees.

Is non- interference in internal affairs still relevant here? Are the innocent suffering people of this country not praying for a savior to come to their rescue? Sovereignty aside, is there no moral obligation as human beings for the rest of the world not to act and save Zimbabwe? Incompetent and dictatorial states should not be allowed into the civilized community of sovereign nations.