This article discusses how ethnic conflicts negatively affect human rights and how international intervention acts for the defense of these rights. We thus compare the structure by which ethnic conflicts are triggered and an ideal scenario in which the state is capable of guaranteeing human rights, in keeping with the United Nations perspective. While identifying the points at which ethnic conflicts breach the foundations of human rights, we analyze a second scenario in which it is impossible to guarantee such rights, raising the issue of humanitarian intervention. Finally, we argue that although human rights have gained relevance in the post-Cold War period, they do not constitute a cohesive set of objectives. Therefore, in order to understand the selectiveness behind humanitarian interventions, we conclude that it is essential to consider other interests.511183213