Question 3 Flashcards

3.Discuss both sides of the current debate over the role of “humanitarian” military missions, and of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine

1
Q

Responsibility to Protect (R2P):

A

R2P is a principle endorsed by the United Nations aimed at preventing and halting mass atrocities, including genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.
It asserts that sovereignty entails not just rights but also responsibilities, emphasizing three primary pillars: state responsibility, international assistance and capacity-building, and international response.
The principle suggests that if a state fails to protect its population from mass atrocities, the international community has a responsibility to intervene, including through military intervention, as a last resort. Prevent, React, rebuild

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2
Q

R2P Three Pillars

A

three primary pillars: state responsibility, international assistance and capacity-building, and international response.

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3
Q

Arguments in Support:

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Proponents argue that humanitarian military interventions, authorized under R2P, are necessary to protect vulnerable populations from grave human rights abuses.
They emphasize the moral imperative to intervene when states fail to protect their citizens, citing examples like Bosnia, Kosovo, and East Timor, where intervention helped prevent further atrocities.
Advocates stress the role of R2P in upholding international norms and preventing impunity for perpetrators of mass atrocities.
They also argue that R2P provides a legal and moral framework for intervention, emphasizing the responsibility of the international community to act in cases of humanitarian crises.

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4
Q

Arguments Against:

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Critics argue that humanitarian military interventions risk violating state sovereignty and international law, potentially leading to unintended consequences and exacerbating conflicts.
They raise concerns about the selective application of R2P, suggesting that interventions may be influenced by political interests rather than genuine humanitarian concerns.
Skeptics highlight the challenges of nation-building and the long-term consequences of military interventions, pointing to cases like Iraq and Afghanistan where interventions led to prolonged conflicts and instability.
Critics also question the effectiveness of military interventions in achieving their stated humanitarian objectives, citing instances where interventions failed to protect civilians or resulted in civilian casualties.

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5
Q

Verdict on the Desirability of Humanitarian Military Interventions:

A

The desirability of humanitarian military interventions depends on the context and the specific circumstances of each case.
While R2P provides a framework for intervention in cases of mass atrocities, careful consideration must be given to the feasibility and effectiveness of such interventions.
Instances where interventions have successfully protected vulnerable populations, such as in Kosovo and East Timor, demonstrate the potential benefits of R2P.
However, interventions must be approached with caution, considering the risks of unintended consequences and the complexities of nation-building.
Ultimately, a nuanced approach is needed, balancing the imperative to protect human rights with respect for state sovereignty and the principles of international law.
Examples like Libya, where NATO intervention led to a prolonged conflict and instability, highlight the challenges and limitations of humanitarian military interventions.
Therefore, while humanitarian interventions may be necessary in some cases to prevent mass atrocities, they should be undertaken with careful planning, broad international support, and a clear strategy for post-conflict reconstruction and stabilization.

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6
Q

four criteria need to be met to justify

A

number one is the just cause threshold that there needs to be an imminent major loss of life or ethnic cleansing number
two are the precautionary principles this idea that all other means of bringing the crisis to an end have been exhausted that the intervention needs to be done with the right intentions and that the military action has to be proportional to the situation and needs a reasonable chance of success

the third criteria for r2p is the idea that the intervention needs the right authority and what this means in principle is that there should be a un security council resolution to authorize the military action
fourth criteria has to do with the operational principles the objectives need to be clear and unambiguous with a clear understanding that the use of force is only temporary and that after the military action is finished the international community needs to remain in order to help with peace building and reconciliation you can’t just bomb and run

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