The conceptual evolution of the responsibility to protect: An analysis of the case of Syria

Abstract

This article analyzes the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and evaluates its application to the case of the humanitarian tragedy in Syria. At the beginning of his research, the author describes the conceptual evolution of R2P and, in this respect, identifies the main critical issues of the concept. These critics refer mainly to its imprecision, its politicization, its lack of binding character and its limited application based on the veto power of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The author further describes the situation in Syria and analyzes the application of the three pillars of the R2P to the case. In this exercise, he identifies, in the case of the third pillar, the lack of a timely and decisive response by the Security Council. Noting that R2P has failed in its prevention function, the author proposes the following alternatives: the application of measures by regional organizations, the participation of the United Nations Secretariat, the establishment of an international tribunal for Syria, and the establishment of international responsibility of the members of the Security Council and of the International Organizations.