Berlin, 28 November 2011

 

The situation in Libya and Syria recently stirred up the ongoing debate on the so called concept of Responsibility to Protect. The concept was introduced in 2001 by the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty and since then has found its way into major documents like the Report by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan "In Larger Freedom" and the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. According to the latter, each State has the "responsibility to protect its populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity". Where States are unable or unwilling to assume this responsibility, it shifts to the international community to take collective actions through the UN Security Council to ensure the protection of the population.

In the case of Libya, on 17 March 2011 the Security Council established a no-fly zone with Resolution 1973. Five Security Council Members abstained, among them China, the Russian Federation and Germany.

The debate showed that around the concept of the Responsibility to Protect many questions arise: In which cases does it apply? Which are the appropriate measures to be taken? Under which circumstances is a military intervention authorized by the Security Council legitimate?

In order to deal with the new developments, the Security Council has convened a Special Session on 28 November 2011 in Berlin. Together with Diplomats from Tunisia, students from all departments will represent the current Members of the Council.

The Diplomats from Tunisia are currently taking part in a training prgramme of the Federal Foreign Office’s Training for International Diplomats.

 

Visitors are welcome!

Monday, 28 November 2011 10.00 - 17.00 h Senatssaal, Henry-Ford-Bau Garystr. 35, 14195 Berlin

 

For further information please contact:

 

Dr. Peter Schmidt
Auswärtiges Amt - Internationale Diplomatenausbildung

 

Peggy Wittke und Despoina Glarou

Model United Nations / Model European Union

Freie Universität Berlin

Boltzmannstr. 3, 14195 Berlin

Phone:  (030) 838 547 05 und 530 13

Email: peg@zedat.fu-berlin.de und glarou@zedat.fu-berlin.de