In an interconnected world, we know more than ever before about humanitarian disasters and political tyranny in other countries. But how should we react to what we know?
Is there an obligation to respect national sovereignty? At what point is does a political or moral duty to provide assistance justify disregarding the wishes of another national government or even overthrowing it altogether?
For more information about the Responsibility to Protect, click here.
¤ ¤ ¤
WFM-IGP’s International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect (ICRtoP) program is a global network that promotes the advancement of the Responsibility to Protect. Responsibility to Protect is a landmark norm that seeks to prevent and halt genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing. Born out of WFM-IGP’s Responsibility to Protect-Engaging Civil Society Project, ICRtoP was officially launched in 2009 after a series of regional consultations worldwide.
ICRtoP brings together human rights, humanitarian, and conflict prevention nongovernmental organizations around the world to raise awareness of the norm, consolidate support at the United Nations and other institutions, and serve as a catalyst for national and regional advocacy. ICRtoP provides vital information and other resources to a range of organizations, facilitates engagement with global policy makers, and amplifies the voice of civil society on current or potential mass atrocities. In the coming year, ICRtoP plans to expand global membership to all regions, with a particular emphasis on women’s rights groups and faith-based organizations, as well as partnering with member organizations to push governments and regional/global institutions to build political will and operational capacity to prevent and halt mass atrocities. The ICRtoP Steering Committee met in Panama in March to discuss plans for the next year and make concrete decisions on the most! important priorities going forward. ICRtoP’s global network sends a clear message to world leaders that the international community will no longer tolerate excuses for failures to protect populations from the most heinous crimes.
Find out more about the International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect here: www.responsibilitytoprotect.org