The Responsibility to Protect - known as R2P - refers to the obligation of states toward their populations and toward all populations at risk of genocide and other large-scale atrocities. This new international norm stipulates that:
* The primary responsibility to protect populations from mass atrocities lies with the state itself.
* When a state proves either unable or unwilling to protect peoples, that responsibility shifts to the international community.
* This obligation must be exercised preventively; states can not delay action until mass crimes have already occurred.
* The tools of action include diplomatic, legal, and other peaceful measures; coercive measures such as sanctions; and, as a last resort, military force.
These principles originated in a 2001 report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty and were endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document paragraphs 138 and 139.
The UN Secretary General released a report in January 2009 Implementing the Responsibility to Protect. In a July 2009 General Assembly Debate, UN Member States overwhelmingly reaffirmed the 2005 Commitment and passed a consensus resolution taking note of the Secretary-General's report. Read more about the historic debate here.
Additional Materials from The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect : Working Papers
Title: Anti-Muslim Violence in Burma/Myanmar and the Responsibility to Protect
Date: January 2014Title: Tools, Tasks and Tough Thinking: Sanctions and R2P
Authors: George A. Lopez
Date: October 2013Title: The March 2013 Elections in Kenya and the Responsibility to Protect
Date: February 2013Title: National R2P Focal Points Recommendations
Date: July 2012Title: The Relationship between the Responsibility to Protect and the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict
Date: June 2012Title: The Lord's Resistance Army and the Responsibility to Protect
Date: November 2011Title: Background Briefing: R2P After Libya and Cote d'Ivoire
Date: November 2011Title: Background Briefing: Highlights from the Opening of the 66th United Nations General Assembly
Date: October 2011Title: R2P: Perceptions and Misperceptions
Date: June 2011Title: The Relationship between the Responsibility to Protect and the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict
Date: May 2011Title: Tackling the Threat of Mass Atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Applying the Responsibility to Protect
Date: May 2011Title: The Responsibility to Protect and Sudan: An Update
Date: January 2011Title: Sudan: Fulfilling the Responsibility to Protect
Date: October 2010Title: Upholding the Responsibility to Protect in Burma/Myanmar
Date: August 2010Title: The Responsibility to Protect and Kenya: Past Successes and Current Challenges
Date: August 2010Title: Atrocities in Nigeria's Plateau State and the Responsibility to Protect
Date: March 2010Title: Applying the Responsibility to Protect to Burma/Myanmar
Date: March 2010Title: The International Response to 28 September 2009 Massacre in Guinea and the Responsibility to Protect
Date: January 2010Title: The Relationship between the Responsibility to Protect and the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict
Date: January 2009