The “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P or RtoP) is an emerging norm, stating that sovereignty is not a right, but that states must protect their populations from mass atrocity crimes – namely genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing.
The current concept of R2P is based on three ‘pillars’
- A state has a responsibility to protect its population from genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing.
- The international community has a responsibility to assist the state to fulfill its primary responsibility.
- If the state manifestly fails to protect its citizens from the four above mentioned mass atrocities and peaceful measures have failed, the international community has the responsibility to intervene through coercive measures such as economic sanctions. Military intervention is considered the last resort.
The ethnic and religious tensions in Central African Republic have dramatically grown since the outbreak of fights between the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) and Séléka, a coalition of rebel groups, in 2012. Some progress towards stabilising the country was made between 2008 and 2012; but with the new Séléka rebel alliance marching south, capturing the capital of Bangui in March 2013, and ousting acting President Francois Bozize, the country descended into ethno-religious violence and civil war, with thousands of people fleeing their homes. The UN has already warned that there was a high risk of genocide. Situated in the centre of an already conflict ridden region (Congo, Sudan, Chad) the danger of a spill-over of violence from the neighbouring countries has increased, too.
What is the purpose of this conference?
Following the principle of ‘responsibility to protect’, France has introduced a draft resolution to allow a ‘coalition of the willing’ to engage all necessary non-violent and violent measures to restore peace and prevent further atrocities against the civil population in Central African Republic.
15 country delegations will analyse the origins and key dimensions of the crisis and will discuss further actions that need to be taken by the international community.
For relevant documents, informations and updates about the MUN Conference in Hangzhou,
please have a look on "On Topic"
