CIAO DATE: 03/2012
October 2011
The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Strong support for the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) populations from genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing was clearly evident at the opening of the 66th United Nations (UN) General Assembly between 21 and 27 September 2011. From the Secretary-General’s reference to R2P as a priority for his second term, to the re-affirmation of government support for the norm in opening statements and the holding of a Ministerial meeting on R2P, clear consensus exists about the critical importance of R2P. At a moment when some were anticipating a backlash in the aftermath of the Security Council authorized civilian protection operation in Libya, the opening of the General Assembly reaffirmed that the imperative today is for states to work together to operationalize R2P. This document will discuss the six significant ways in which enduring commitment to R2P was visible during the two weeks of the opening of the 66th UN General Assembly.
Resource link: Background Briefing: Highlights from the Opening of the 66th United Nations General Assembly [PDF] - 173K