Enforcing the responsibility to protect through solidarity measures

Abstract

Responsibility to Protect (R2P) provides a moral basis for collective action through the UN Security Council in reaction to mass atrocity situations. However, this avenue is not always available. The question then arises whether other actors can and should assume responsibility in such circumstances and, if so, which kinds of measures they may pursue. The present article examines this question with a specific interest in the international reactions to the Syrian crisis since 2011. The analysis proceeds on the assumption that the growing usage of solidarity measures outside the UN framework is a sign of the relative success of R2P in terms of gaining ground among international policy-makers. However, according to the article, if solidarity measures as a way of enforcing R2P are to achieve widespread legitimacy, consideration must be paid to the legal concerns generated by this development. In particular, regard must be had to the compatibility of the measures pursued, including asset freeze, arms embargoes and the arming of rebel forces with the law in force.