Canadian Responsibility to Protect Policy Turns 20: Unfulfilled Promises

The 20th anniversary of Canada’s **Responsibility to Protect** (R2P) doctrine arrives amid ongoing global crises, raising questions about its effectiveness. Established in September 2005, R2P aimed to ensure that the international community would intervene to prevent atrocities like those witnessed in Bosnia and Rwanda. However, the world remains plagued by violence and humanitarian disasters, from the **Gaza Strip** to **Sudan** and **Myanmar**.

In a speech in 2011, former French foreign minister **Alain Juppé** encapsulated the essence of R2P: “We must not give free rein to warmongers; we must not abandon civilian populations, the victims of brutal repression, to their fate.” This sentiment was echoed when the **UN Security Council** authorized military intervention in Libya to protect civilians from **Muammar Gaddafi’s** regime. Yet, two decades later, **UN Secretary-General António Guterres** describes R2P as an “unfulfilled promise.”

The stark reality is that the number of forcibly displaced people has skyrocketed from **37 million in 2005** to **122 million** today, according to the **UN Refugee Agency**. Former Canadian foreign minister **Lloyd Axworthy**, a key figure in the development of R2P, attributes this failure largely to contemporary national leaders who often prioritize their interests over humanitarian obligations. “We don’t seem to have international leadership anymore,” Axworthy stated.

The roots of R2P trace back to **1999**, when NATO initiated a controversial bombing campaign in **Kosovo** to halt ethnic cleansing. This intervention facilitated the deployment of **UN peacekeepers**, marking a turning point in international humanitarian response. Following this, Canada, under then-prime minister **Jean Chrétien**, sponsored a commission that ultimately led to the adoption of R2P at the **2005 World Summit**.

Despite its noble intentions, R2P has often failed to catalyze meaningful action. While it has been invoked nearly a hundred times in Security Council debates, real intervention remains elusive. Instances of military actions in **Libya**, **Côte d’Ivoire**, and **South Sudan** illustrate the challenges faced, often stymied by political interests from powerful nations.

High-profile vetoes from countries like **Russia** and **China** have hindered efforts to address crises such as the humanitarian situation in Syria and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In the case of the **Rohingya** in Myanmar, a resolution expressing concern in 2022 was the only significant action taken, reflecting the limitations of the Security Council’s influence.

Executive director of the **Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect**, **Savita Pawnday**, highlighted troubling shifts in international responses. She noted that countries now often support allies regardless of the humanitarian implications. “What has become clear is that countries stand by allies at whatever cost,” Pawnday asserted.

Despite these challenges, the adoption of R2P has led to increased documentation and accountability for atrocities. Recent findings from a UN commission labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as constituting genocide, a claim the Israeli government denies. This growing emphasis on evidence and accountability represents a cultural shift in how the international community approaches human rights violations.

Looking ahead, Axworthy sees potential for reviving R2P in light of current crises. As world leaders prepare for the **UN General Debate** in New York City, discussions surrounding the recognition of the **state of Palestine** by Canadian Prime Minister **Mark Carney**, French President **Emmanuel Macron**, and British Prime Minister **Keir Starmer** may signal a renewed commitment to humanitarian principles.

Axworthy advocates for more than just symbolic gestures; he calls for concrete action. He proposes that Canada rally like-minded nations to enhance civilian protections, ensure humanitarian aid access, and establish safe migration routes. The stakes are high, and the need for effective international intervention remains critical as conflicts continue to escalate around the globe.