What is the responsibility to protect (R2P) and how does it relate to human rights?

International Relations Human Rights Questions



80 Short 67 Medium 47 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What is the responsibility to protect (R2P) and how does it relate to human rights?

The responsibility to protect (R2P) is a principle in international relations that states that the primary responsibility of a state is to protect its population from mass atrocities, including genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. R2P also emphasizes the responsibility of the international community to intervene when a state is unable or unwilling to protect its population.

R2P relates to human rights as it recognizes that the protection of human rights is a fundamental responsibility of states. It acknowledges that individuals have the right to be protected from gross human rights violations and that states have a duty to uphold and safeguard these rights. R2P reinforces the idea that the international community has a collective responsibility to prevent and respond to human rights abuses, ensuring that the rights and dignity of individuals are respected and protected globally.