Dot points for the WO essay

Question 1

SS?

Answer 1

• the principle which grants states the autonomy to govern independently without interference
• developed, enshrined - Treaty of Westphalia (1648) - UN Charter (Article 2.7, 1948).
• ongoing treaties - ‘Geneva Conventions (1949)’ with 196 signatories
• Oxford University (1995) - “quality attributed to states by other states and therefore the notion itself exemplifies global political goodwill,”
• Rwandan Genocide of 1994 where the lack of intervention due to SS saw over 800,000 people murdered in 100 days

Question 2

R2P?

Answer 2

• response to the Rwandan Genocide - ‘R2P’ 2005 - aims to uphold national autonomy, obligating the int. community respond to gross humanitarian abuse
• R2P’s directive - “collective responsibility to protect human populations (Jennifier Welsh of the UN, 2005).
• effectiveness - ‘UN Resolution #1973 on Colonel Gaddaffi in Libya (2011) who surrendered within 48 hours after R2P’s implementation
• since R2P’s use in Libya there has been little use - NATO’s implementation of R2P in Libya - no fly zone under Operation Unified Protector - death of 72 civilians
• lack of usage since Libya - R2P “shattered” (Foreign Policy, 2021)
• not being used in Syrian war - NY Times article ‘R2P RIP’

Question 3

UN?

Answer 3

• chief IGO globally
• created under the ‘UN Charter 1948’
• UNGA, UNSC, ICJ
• UNGA → 193 nations, affects UNSC decision - eg condemning UNSC lack of action over Syria
• UNSC - 15 members, 5 permanent, veto power - UNSC Resolution 2166 - Russia supported when “shooting down” - “downing” → “idealist” not “realist” (Euro News)
• ICJ - Israel decisions in 2024 - prevent “public incitement to commit genocide,” military to ensure with “immediate effectiveness” to stop genocidal acts

Question 4

ICC?

Answer 4

• created by the Rome Statute - prosecution of major violators of HR and WP - focused on “ending impunity” (ICC, 2024)
• 31 cases before the court - 10 convictions and 4 acquittals - Thomas Lubanga - consensual nature of ICC eg multiple charges against Putin, 21/42 have been detained, 17 at large
• “slow” and “bureaucratic” (Haris Humayun, 2023)
• cases referred to by the UNSC can be denied a hearing/investigation by ICC if ⅕ veto the case being referred