The Responsibility to Protect and the Failures of the United Nations Security Council

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What can be done if the United Nations Security Council fails to protect people from mass atrocities At a time of inaction and political paralysis at the United Nations, this book explains the legality of alternative action beyond the Security Council. This book takes a fresh look at the responsibility to protect and offers new and compelling insights into the powers and limits of the UN Security Council. It argues that the Security Councils responsibility to maintain international peace and security, and its responsibility to protect, do not die with its own failures. Other actors can and must take up responsibility to save those in need. In a persuasive and detailed examination of the legal framework, this research identifies options for coercive measures to be taken beyond the Council that could be used to break the deadlock, including through the General Assembly and regional organisations. It provides a must-have resource for students, academics, and researchers on key principles of international law. It also offers insight for governments, policy-makers, and other international actors on how they can uphold their legal responsibilities, maintain peace and security, and prevent their failures from undermining the very existence of the UN itself.

Reviews

This is an original account of such an important issue in the field and should be key reading for students, academics, and practitioners across the spectrum hoping to continue an exploration of legal alternatives for R2P implementation in the face of UN Security Council failure. -- Blake Lawrinson * Responsibility to Protect Student Journal *
The book is an important contribution to the R2P debate, one which seeks to expand our way of thinking in regard to R2P response, and offers promise that Council inaction need not equate to R2Ps third pillar being left stalled while human suffering continues. -- Richard Illingworth, University of Leeds * Global Responsibility to Protect *

Author Bio

Patrick Butchard is Lecturer in Law at Edge Hill University.