Global Justice And The Responsibility To Protect: Bridging Sovereignty And Humanitarianism
- IJLLR Journal
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
Suchitra Chaudhary, PhD Scholar, NIILM University, Haryana
ABSTRACT
In an increasingly interconnected world, the pursuit of global justice has emerged as an essential guiding principle for the international community, especially in the context of mass atrocities and human rights violations that transcend borders. The Responsibility to Protect (R2P), a doctrine unanimously endorsed by world leaders at the 2005 United Nations World Summit, seeks to operationalize this vision by bridging the historically rigid divide between state sovereignty and the moral imperative to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. This research paper examines the evolution, legal foundations, and practical challenges of R2P within the framework of global justice. It critically analyses how the traditional notion of sovereignty has shifted from absolute non-interference to a conditional responsibility, and interrogates whether this shift has been effectively translated into meaningful protection for vulnerable populations.
Through a comprehensive literature review, conceptual analysis, and case studies of Libya and Syria, the paper highlights the stark contrast between the doctrine’s theoretical promise and its selective, often inconsistent application in practice. While the 2011 intervention in Libya is frequently cited as an example of R2P’s activation, it also exposed risks of mandate expansion and misuse, leading to prolonged instability and debate about regime change disguised as humanitarian action. Conversely, the Syrian conflict demonstrated the failure of the international community to act decisively despite clear evidence of mass atrocities, largely due to political paralysis within the UN Security Council. These cases reveal the persistent tension between moral obligation, political interests, and legal constraints.
Identifying gaps in the current scholarship and practice, the paper formulates clear research questions, explores doctrinal and normative debates, and proposes recommendations to enhance the credibility, consistency, and legitimacy of R2P. It argues that for R2P to fulfil its potential as a pillar of global justice, there is a pressing need for stronger multilateral cooperation, institutional reforms, and an unwavering commitment to preventing its misuse for geopolitical ends. Ultimately, this study contributes to the discourse on how the international community can bridge the divide between sovereignty and humanitarianism, ensuring that “never again” becomes a practical reality rather than a rhetorical promise.
Keywords: Responsibility to Protect, global justice, sovereignty, humanitarian intervention, international law, human rights, Libya, Syria
