neutraliteet

Neutraliteet is the state or policy of not taking sides in armed conflicts or disputes and of maintaining impartiality in judgment and actions. In international relations, it often refers to a state's choice to abstain from military alliances and to refrain from aiding any belligerent. In humanitarian work or journalism, neutrality means delivering aid or reporting without favoritism toward any party involved.

International law recognizes a special status for neutrals. The Hague Conventions of 1907 set rules governing the conduct of neutral powers, including the obligation not to allow transit of war material through neutral territory or to permit blockades against neutral states, and to respect the rights of belligerents’ goods and of ship movements. Neutral states may still engage in commerce with all sides as long as they do not violate their neutrality; belligerents may not request neutral support for military actions. A state can declare permanent neutrality, a formal policy adopted by nations such as Switzerland and, historically, Sweden, to avoid involvement in great-power wars.

In modern times neutrality can be tested by geopolitical shifts, humanitarian needs, and security dynamics. Critics argue that strict neutrality may conflict with universal human rights or regional security obligations, while supporters emphasize its stabilizing value and protection for civilians by reducing entanglement. The term neutraliteet is used in Estonian to denote the broader concept of neutrality, including political, legal, and ethical dimensions.