Can genocide be prevented? Or will we have to continue to settle for the role of bystanders in cases like Rwanda or Darfur in the future? It is now internationally recognized that state sovereignty ends where genocide begins. However, humanitarian interventions to stop a genocide only occur when the United Nations can agree on an intervention. More precisely: when the political interests of the Permanent Five do not oppose an intervention and when enough states are willing to participate in an intervention. Under these circumstances, heads of state like Sudan's President al-Bashir can act freely—there is no need for them to expect a humanitarian intervention. Therefore, the United Nations must ask whether these crimes are being addressed objectively and independently of interests.