United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/1

Definition

United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/1 is a pivotal document adopted in 2005 that outlines the international community's commitment to the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine. This resolution recognizes that sovereign states have a primary responsibility to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity, while also affirming the role of the international community in assisting states to fulfill this responsibility and intervening when a state fails to protect its citizens.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Resolution 60/1 was adopted during the 2005 World Summit, reflecting a collective agreement on the need for the international community to take action against severe human rights abuses.
2. The resolution articulates the R2P doctrine, which shifts the focus from state sovereignty to the protection of individuals at risk.
3. It emphasizes that military intervention should be a last resort, only occurring when all other measures have failed and with prior approval from the United Nations Security Council.
4. Resolution 60/1 sparked debate about the balance between state sovereignty and the international community's moral obligation to intervene in crises.
5. Since its adoption, Resolution 60/1 has influenced various international actions and discussions regarding humanitarian crises and interventions worldwide.

Review Questions

• How does United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/1 redefine traditional concepts of sovereignty in light of the Responsibility to Protect doctrine?
  • Resolution 60/1 redefines traditional concepts of sovereignty by emphasizing that while states have the right to govern themselves, they also have a responsibility to protect their citizens from serious human rights abuses. This shift places individual safety and well-being above rigid notions of state sovereignty, suggesting that if a state fails to protect its people, it may lose its sovereign rights in the eyes of the international community. Thus, it creates a framework where intervention may be justified when states neglect their protective duties.
• Evaluate the implications of Resolution 60/1 on international relations and how it has affected global responses to humanitarian crises.
  • The implications of Resolution 60/1 on international relations are significant as it introduced a moral imperative for intervention based on humanitarian grounds. This has led to a more proactive stance by states and international organizations in addressing humanitarian crises. However, it has also generated debates over selective interventions and the politicization of humanitarian actions, raising concerns about consistency and legitimacy in global responses. The resolution has influenced various cases, such as interventions in Libya and Syria, reflecting both its potential and challenges.
• Critically analyze how United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/1 reflects shifting global norms regarding state responsibility and human rights protection.
  • Resolution 60/1 represents a significant shift in global norms as it asserts that states are not only responsible for their own governance but also for ensuring the safety and welfare of their populations. This change reflects an evolving understanding that human rights are universal and should be protected regardless of national boundaries. The increasing acceptance of the R2P doctrine illustrates a growing recognition among states that there are collective responsibilities towards individuals facing threats of mass atrocities. However, this evolution also faces resistance, as some nations argue it undermines sovereignty and can lead to unjustified interventions under the guise of humanitarianism.

Related terms

Sovereignty: The principle that a state has the authority to govern itself without external interference.

Intervention: The act of intervening by external actors in the affairs of a sovereign state, often in response to humanitarian crises.

Humanitarian Intervention: Military intervention aimed at preventing or ending widespread suffering or human rights violations within a state.