The rejection by Russia and China of what they call the West's use of human rights as a pretext for interfering in the affairs of other countries raises questions over how humanitarian intervention is developing.

The statement actually came on what is designated as UN Human Rights Day.

It also came on the day the organisation which has pioneered the concept of humanitarian intervention, Medecins Sans Frontieres, received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.

There are signs that more and more countries are willing to pursue human rights concerns, even when that means overriding issues of sovereignty.

It was the theme of a number of Western leaders, including President Clinton, at the opening of the latest session of the UN General Assembly. It was also endorsed by the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

International agenda

Nato's intervention in Kosovo, increased international backing for the pursuit of alleged war criminals, even the arrest of former Chilean military ruler Augusto Pinochet, are all seen as evidence of movement on this front.

And this trend has been welcomed by the campaigning group Human Rights Watch, in a new report published to coincide with UN Human Rights Day.

But the statement by Russia and China underlines their sensitivity over the issue - which they clearly see as a device of the West to cement its domination of the international community.

And it is a reminder of the difficulties of achieving an international consensus - Moscow and Beijing are, after all, both permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Selective application

The debate over humanitarian intervention is clearly being driven by the major Western powers.

But they too are attacked for espousing universal principles, while applying them only selectively - critics contrast the Nato-led commitment to Kosovo with what seems a much more muted response to the Chechen crisis.

On all sides of the argument over intervention, concerns about human rights still mix with more traditional concepts of national interest and the practical issue of what even coalitions of countries can and can't do to intervene.