The Problems of NATO's R2P Implementation in Libya: Has the international Community Learnt its Lesson?

Abstract

The international community’s speedy and decisive response to Gaddafi’s brutal oppression of innocent civilians raised new optimism for effective cooperation in humanitarian protection. However, as the situation unravelled it became clear that the way Responsibility to Protect (R2P) was implemented in Libya it appeared to have confirmed the long-standing suspicions of several non-western nations, who often perceived that the doctrine may be used as a pretext for regime change. The crisis also highlighted the problem of the United Nation’s decision making process regarding the use of coercive action and the consequences of not assuming post-intervention Responsibility to Rebuild in conflict prone areas. This thesis evaluates the problems associated with NATO’s military intervention in Libya to draw upon the lessons that can be learnt for the doctrine of R2P. In addition, it also analyses how the international community has moved forward with these lessons. By examining the ‘Responsibility while Protecting’ and the ‘Code of Conduct’, the thesis argues that even though these two initiatives were significant developments, the international community has not yet learnt their lessons regarding R2P’s proper implementation for humanitarian protection missions. The thesis concludes with the suggestion that the use of force in global politics can sometimes be necessary and hence, future military interventions for humanitarian protection must be based on the criterions provided by the Just War Tradition (as specified in the original ICISS report), which will strengthen and legitimise R2P’s present framework. Show more