The Responsibility to Protect: Answering Civil Conflict in the 21st Century – A RAMSI Case Study

Abstract

This thesis will attempted to analyse the Responsibility to Protect, whether the doctrine has a future in the workings of the international system as an effective mechanism for conflict resolution and for consensus on issues that surround violations of life, liberty and security of person. The R2P is acknowledged as a very new doctrine, the that has its fair share of warranted criticism and a long way to go before it becomes customary law in the international system. Through an in-depth analysis of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, the thesis aimed to highlight the potential of the R2P in addressing modern conflict situations and providing long standing stability through committed assistance in capacity development. Despite failures in the RAMSI intervention, and the relatively small scale nature, it stands as a significant success in implementation of the R2P and exemplifies the doctrine‟s potential in application. At its base the R2P demonstrates a powerful normative shift towards the protection of the fundamental human rights of all people, and a shift away from traditional understandings of sovereignty as absolute.