The Routledge Handbook of the Responsibility to Protect

This Handbook offers a comprehensive examination of the Responsibility to Protect norm in world politics, which aims to end mass atrocities against civilians.The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is amongst the most significant norms in global politics. Its aim - to end mass atrocities - could scarcely be more ambitious. Developed by the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (ICISS) in 2001 it was rapidly, and unanimously, adopted by the United Nations in 2005 in the Outcome Document of the World Summit ' a High Level Plenary meeting of the 60 th session of the UN General Assembly. That achievement dampened neither the opposition of its detractors, nor the enthusiasm and expectation of its supporters. With each atrocity, actual or potential, come appeals to the most significant policy development addressing intervention. This handbook will be the authoritative guide to the Responsibility to Protect. It gathers the most respected and insightful voices to address key issues related to this emerging norm. The chapters offer a comprehensive and coherent account of the development of the Responsibility to Protect, the issues that will likely determine the extent to which its achievements match its promise, and opinions about - and possible applications of - this norm in various regions around the world.This book will be of much interest to students of the Responsibility to Protect, humanitarian intervention, genocide, human rights, international law, international organisations, security studies and IR.