R2P in Focus, No. 16, December 2017 No Images? Click here R2P in Focus R2P in Focus is a monthly publication from the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect designed to highlight recent events and political developments concerning the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). R2P 2017: The Year in Review This has been a troubling year for protecting human rights and preventing mass atrocity crimes. With over 65 million people across the world currently fleeing war, atrocities and persecution, civilians are bearing the consequences of conflicts in which governments and non-state armed groups are showing total disregard for International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law. However, despite these challenges, the UN, various governments, and civil society activists are working together to help prevent atrocities and protect populations from these conscience-shocking crimes. January – March The World Welcomes a New UN Secretary-General On 1 January 2017 António Guterres assumed his position as the ninth UN Secretary-General. Secretary-General Guterres has made reform of the UN system and prevention of conflict the focus of his agenda. Since January Secretary-General Guterres has called for international action on a number of atrocity situations, including urging the UN Security Council to address the crisis in Myanmar (Burma). He also visited several countries experiencing mass atrocities, including the Central African Republic and Iraq. The Fight Against Impunity for Atrocities: Bringing Da’esh to Justice On 9 March the Permanent Missions of the United Kingdom, Iraq, Belgium, Canada and Germany, in association with the Global Centre, co-hosted a high-level event entitled “The Fight Against Impunity for Atrocities: Bringing Da’esh to Justice.” The then Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab Bangura, UNODC Goodwill Ambassador and Yazidi Genocide survivor, Ms. Nadia Murad Basee Taha, and Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, Ms. Amal Clooney, participated in the discussion moderated by the Global Centre's Executive Director, Dr. Simon Adams. During the event Ms. Murad, Ms. Clooney and Dr. Adams all called for the Iraqi government to request the UN Security Council establish an international mechanism to investigate Da’esh’s atrocities in Iraq, including the genocide against the Yazidis. During September the Security Council passed Resolution 2397 establishing an Investigative Team to collect evidence regarding potential war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide perpetrated by members of Da'esh in Iraq. April – June Seventh Annual Meeting of the Global Network of R2P Focal Points From 24 to 25 April the State of Qatar, in association with the Global Centre, co-hosted the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Global Network of R2P Focal Points in Doha, Qatar. The meeting brought together senior government officials from more than 40 countries to discuss the crisis in Syria, the challenges and opportunities for accountability for mass atrocity crimes, the global rise in hate speech and xenophobia, and the refugee crisis, as well as their collective impact upon efforts to prevent and halt genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Bi-Annual Regional Meeting of European Focal Points On 10 May the Government of Slovenia hosted the Third European R2P Focal Points Meeting. Dr. Adams and Global Centre Deputy Executive Director Ms. Savita Pawnday led a session on European action to implement R2P. The Role of Parliamentarians in Mass Atrocity Prevention On 13 and 14 April in The Hague, the Global Centre co-hosted an event with the Stanley Foundation, Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, The Hague Institute for Global Justice, and the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies entitled, "Global Parliamentarians: The role of the legislative branch in building mechanisms for atrocity prevention." Ms. Pawnday presented a briefing paper, “Advocate, Educate, Legislate: The Role of Parliamentarians in the Prevention of Mass Atrocities,” that explores ways parliamentarians can contribute to mass atrocity prevention at home and abroad. July – September Ninth UN General Assembly Informal Interactive Dialogue on R2P UN Photo/Kim Haughton On 6 September the President of the 71st UN General Assembly, Mr. Peter Thomson, convened the annual informal interactive dialogue on R2P. This year’s dialogue focused on UN Secretary-General António Guterres' first report on R2P: "Implementing the Responsibility to Protect: Accountability for Prevention." During the dialogue, 73 member states, 2 UN observer missions and the European Union delivered statements on behalf of 98 countries. For the fourth year in row, the UN Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect delivered a statement at the event. Additionally, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect was among five civil society organizations to deliver statements. R2P on the Formal Agenda of the UN General Assembly's 72nd session On 15 September the UN General Assembly voted by 113 to 21 to include a supplementary item entitled "The Responsibility to Protect and the prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity" on the Formal Agenda for its 72nd session. This marks the first time since 2009 that R2P and mass atrocity prevention will be included as a formal item of discussion for the General Assembly. UN High-Level Week Ministerial Side Events 10th Annual Ministerial Roundtable on the Responsibility to Protect On 21 September the governments of the Netherlands and Italy, in coordination with the Global Centre, co-hosted the 10th Annual Ministerial Roundtable on R2P to facilitate discussion amongst previous, current and incoming elected members of the UN Security Council on their efforts to prevent and respond to mass atrocity crimes during their tenure on the Council. Protecting Cultural Heritage from Terrorism and Mass Atrocities: Links and Common Responsibilities On 21 September Italy, the European Union, UNESCO, UNODC and the Global Centre co-hosted an event on the protection of cultural heritage from mass atrocities and terrorism during armed conflict. The intentional destruction of cultural heritage is often part of a wider and systematic effort by armed groups to target and destroy a population. Speakers included the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Ms. Fatou Bensouda; the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova; the General of the Protection of Cultural Heritage Command of the Italian Carabinieri, Gen. Fabrizio Parrulli; and the UN Special Adviser on the R2P, Mr. Ivan Šimonović. Preventing and Ending Mass Atrocities: Tools for More Effective UN Security Council Action On 22 September the governments of France, Mexico and Liechtenstein, in coordination with The Elders, Amnesty International and the Global Centre, co-hosted an event on the complimentary UNSC veto restraint initiatives: the French/Mexican initiative on voluntary restraint of the veto and the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) Group's Code of Conduct. Implementing the "Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Mass Atrocity Crimes." On 25 September the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN, the UN Office on the Prevention of Genocide and R2P, and the Global Centre co-hosted an event focused on the role of religious leaders in preventing incitement of atrocity crimes. The meeting aimed to ensure broad support for implementation of the Plan of Action, which was launched during July 2017. October – December Consultations on Peacekeeping, Civilian Protection and the Responsibility to Protect From 5 to 6 December the Global Centre convened consultations on a training-of-trainers course that addresses peacekeeping, civilian protection and R2P. The event brought together military personnel from major UN Troop Contributing Countries and researchers regarding the Global Centre’s upcoming course for peacekeeping training centres. The event was moderated by Ms. Pawnday, while the Global Centre’s Publications Director, Ms. Jaclyn Streitfeld-Hall, and one of our Research Analysts, Ms. Juliette Paauwe, delivered content from the course. Concluding Remarks Normative progress is marked not only by the number of states that attend events and engage in formal discussions on R2P, but by the norm's meaningful operationalization and implementation. From Myanmar to Yemen, and from Iraq to the Philippines, the Global Centre continues to work with governments, NGO partners and the UN system to identify risks, advocate on behalf of the vulnerable, and mobilize appropriate international diplomatic action to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. Whether in New York, Geneva, or in the field, the Global Centre is looking forward to working with you during 2018 to ensure that the international community does more to uphold its collective responsibility to protect wherever and whenever civilians face the threat of mass atrocity crimes. Connect with us |