The Role of Regional and Subregional Arrangements in Strengthening the Responsibility to Protect

On May 11, 2011, the Stanley Center convened a large array of UN member state representatives, key UN Secretariat and regional organization officials, and independent experts for a brainstorming meeting designed to focus attention on the role of regional and subregional arrangements in strengthening the responsibility to protect (R2P).

As consensus on R2P has deepened, the critical role of regional and subregional arrangements in its implementation has elicited particularly widespread support. Yet few discussions—whether about, with, or between the regions—have yet provided a precise vision of what this role might be in specific (sub)regional contexts and how it might be maximized in support of R2P objectives.

Given the upcoming General Assembly informal interactive dialogue scheduled for July 12, 2011, on “The Role of Regional and Subregional Arrangements in Implementing the Responsibility to Protect,” the Stanley Center’s May meeting sought to explore further the potential for regional contributions to protect against genocide, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It was designed to elicit substantive input from member states, UN officials, and independent experts for the pending secretary-general’s report, as well as General Assembly consideration of the subject in July.