Responsibility to protect: an unseat promise, a glimmer of hope

Addressing the General Assembly, António Guterres said that the world witnessed armed conflicts more than at any time since the end of the Second World War.

“” Too often, early warnings are not heard and the alleged evidence of crimes committed by states and non -state actors were welcomed with denial, indifference or repression, ” he said Member States on Wednesday.

“The answers are often too little, too late, incoherent or undermined by standard doubles. Civilians pay the highest price. “

The promise

The secretary general’s address has marked two decades since the 2005 World SummitOr World leaders have made an unprecedented commitment To protect populations from crimes of atrocity of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

Known as the responsibility of protecting, or R2P, commitments have affirmed that sovereignty not only includes rights, but responsibilities – above all, the duty of each State to safeguard its own people.

When the national authorities fail to do so, the international community has the duty to act – collectively, appropriate and decisively – in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

An unattended promise

“Two decades later, the The responsibility of protecting is both an urgent necessity, a moral imperative and an unseat promise,He said.

He cited the worsening of violence based on identity, deepening of impunity and the armament of new technologies as threats of composition of populations around the world.

“No company is immune to the risk of crimes of atrocity,” continued Mr. Guterres.

A radius of hope

The secretary general also presented his latest report on the responsibility of protecting, reflecting on two decades of progress and persistent challenges. It is based on a global survey showing that the principle still benefits from broad support – not only among the Member States, but also among the communities affected by violence.

“” Communities see it [R2P] As a radius of hope,“He said:”But they also call for effective implementation at all levels.“”

Mr. Guterres stressed that prevention should start at home: with inclusive leadership, the protection of human rights and the rule of law. And it must be supported worldwide by multilateral cooperation and diplomacy in principle.

“” No company is immune to the risk of atrocity crimes,He said.

“” [Prevention] Must be supported worldwide – by multilateral cooperation, diplomacy in principle and early and decisive measures to effectively protect populations. »»

Flashback: 2005 World Summit and the birth of R2P

The responsibility to protect was Adopted by consensus at the 2005 World Summit – At the time, the largest gathering of heads of state and government. The summit also established the peacebuilding committee to support the post-conflict recovery and the Human Rights Council To maintain human rights.

The principle R2P is built on three pillars: the responsibility of the State to protect its population; the role of the international community in states aid in this effort; And the duty to take collective measures when states fail to protect their people.

Since its adoption, R2P has helped shape international responses to atrocity crimes, to guide UN operations and to clarify preventive efforts through national, regional and multilateral mechanisms.

Make the promise

However, the gap between principle and practice remains a central concern – one that the secretary general urges the international community to close.

“” Hold the promise,“Said Mr. Guterres. »»Let’s go ahead with the resolution, unity and courage to act.“”