Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
September 15, 2009
During the final meeting of the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly, a resolution on the responsibility to protect was adopted. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called this an important step toward fulfilling the commitments made at the 2005 summit to protect people worldwide from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.
The resolution states that the Assembly takes note of the Secretary-General's report on this issue and the productive discussions convened by the President of the General Assembly in July 2009, with the full participation of Member States. The General Assembly expressed its readiness to continue its consideration of the responsibility to protect.
As a reminder, at the 2005 Summit, world leaders proclaimed the principle of the responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. The document they adopted states that "every state has the responsibility to protect its populations…" It also proclaims the international community's responsibility in this regard and its readiness to act in accordance with this responsibility.
“In this regard, we are prepared to take collective action, promptly and decisively, through the Security Council, in accordance with the Charter, including under Chapter VII, taking into account specific circumstances and in cooperation with relevant regional organizations, if necessary, if peaceful means prove insufficient and national authorities manifestly fail to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity,” the summit’s final document states.
Representatives of several UN member states stated that the adoption of the new General Assembly resolution is "technical in nature." They emphasized that the development of the concept of responsibility to protect requires further and comprehensive discussion, as it currently exists only as a "skeleton" without universal legal substance. Several delegations fear that the implementation of the new concept could lead to a violation of sovereignty. They propose enshrining mechanisms to prevent the new concept from being used as a cover for unlawful interference in internal affairs.
The UN chief said he also looked forward to continued dialogue on how best to fulfill the international community's obligation to protect.
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