7) R2P

Question 1

Question: What is the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) norm?
(Hint: Consider its purpose and components.)

Answer 1

Answer:

R2P is an international framework to prevent and address mass atrocity crimes such as genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.
It emphasizes sovereignty as a responsibility.

Connection: Redefines sovereignty by linking it to the protection of populations.

Question 2

Question: Why did R2P emerge, and what events inspired its creation?
(Hint: Think about 1990s atrocities.)

Answer 2

Answer:

R2P emerged after failures to prevent the Rwandan Genocide (1994) and the Srebrenica massacre (1995).
It aimed to replace contentious debates on humanitarian intervention with a consensus-based framework.

Connection: It reflects lessons from the global community’s failures in the 1990s.

Question 3

Question: How was R2P formally adopted?
(Hint: 2005 summit.)

Answer 3

Answer:

It was adopted at the 2005 UN World Summit and enshrined in the Outcome Document.
R2P was built on the pillars of prevention, reaction, and rebuilding.

Connection: This codification provided a moral foundation for atrocity prevention.

Question 4

Question: What are the three pillars of R2P?
(Hint: Responsibilities of states and the international community.)

Answer 4

Answer:

Pillar One: States must protect their populations from atrocities.
Pillar Two: The international community should assist states in fulfilling this responsibility.
Pillar Three: Collective action is required when a state fails to protect its population.

Connection: These pillars define R2P’s framework for addressing mass atrocities.

Question 5

Question: Does R2P create binding legal obligations for states?
(Hint: Legal vs. moral norms.)

Answer 5

Answer:

No, R2P is a set of moral norms and is not legally binding under international law.

Connection: Its influence lies in shaping state behavior and international norms.

Question 6

Question: How has R2P been institutionalized within the UN?
(Hint: Think about offices and resolutions.)

Answer 6

Answer:

The UN established the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and R2P.
R2P has been referenced in 38 UNSC resolutions since 2005.

Connection: These mechanisms ensure R2P’s presence in UN operations.

Question 7

Question: How has R2P been applied regionally?
(Hint: Networks for genocide prevention.)

Answer 7

Answer:

Initiatives like the Latin American Genocide Prevention Network strengthen R2P at the regional level.

Connection: Regional networks broaden R2P’s practical impact.

Question 8

Successful Applications

Question: Where has R2P been successfully applied?
(Hint: Think about Libya and Ivory Coast.)

Answer 8

Answer:

Libya (2011): Military intervention to protect civilians under UNSC Resolution 1973.
Ivory Coast (2011): UN and French forces protected civilians during post-election violence.

Connection: Demonstrates R2P’s capacity to mobilize international action.

Question 9

Question: What challenges does R2P face in application?
(Hint: Consider Syria and selective implementation.)

Answer 9

Answer:

Syria: UNSC inaction due to P5 vetoes.
Critics highlight selective application influenced by geopolitical interests.

Connection: These challenges reflect the gap between R2P’s principles and its practice.

Question 10

Question: Why do some states view R2P as controversial?
(Hint: Think about sovereignty concerns.)

Answer 10

Answer:

Many states, especially in the Global South, perceive R2P as a tool for Western interventionism.

Connection: This perception undermines global consensus on R2P’s application.