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International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect
Asia Pacific Roundtable 20-21 February 2008: Bangkok, Thailand PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 20 February 2008 16:58
Background:
Beginning in September 2007, the World Federalist Movement – Institute for Global Policy (WFM-IGP) embarked on a new initiative: to build a global civil society network for the Responsibility to Protect. The initiative, supported by Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group, Oxfam International and Refugees International, aims to establish a global network with representation from both Northern and Southern NGOs. The R2PCS Project organized a series of consultative roundtables with NGOs worldwide, to 1) increase understanding of R2P and how it applies to conflicts in the region, 2) explore how to strengthen regional and international mechanisms to support R2P, and 3) forge partnerships with NGOs who are interested in joining in a core group in building an NGO network.
February 20-21: Asian Perspectives on R2P -- Bangkok, Thailand

"International Conference on Preventing Mass Atrocities: Asian Perspectives on R2P"

R2PCS partnered with the Asia Pacific Centre for R2P (APR2P Centre, launched the evening of 20 February) and Dr. Pranee Thiparat at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand to organize this event. The first day of the conference opened with introductory remarks from Dr. Edward Luck, Special Adviser to the Secretary General with a focus on the responsibility to protect who conveyed Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's best wishes and personal greetings, and attested that the Secretary General welcomes efforts to make good on the promise of R2P in the Asia-Pacific. The Honorably Lloyd Axworthy, former Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered the keynote address calling for the Asia-Pacific region and the globe to recruit, support, and promote a "new generation of champions" that will protect and advance R2P and "hold the international community accountable to their commitment to never again stand by and allow genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity to take place within the borders of a state."
 
Discussions throughout the rest of the day highlighted the need for political dialogue to delineate the nature of R2P duties and responses, as well as research and advocacy dedicated to advancing more people-oriented conflict prevention measures in the region. A starting point could be discussing R2P in existing regional bodies. Conference participants suggested investigating the merit of including R2P recommendations in the blueprint drafting process of the ASEAN Security Community, as well as in the terms of reference for the ASEAN Human Rights Body.
 
Outcomes: Building a Civil Society Network for R2P:
 
  1. There was general support for the concept of R2P and for promoting R2P within the region and exploring how to further incorporate R2P into existing NGO mandates.
  2. Many organizations supported, in principle, joining a global network for R2P rather than establishing a completely new Asia-Pacific regional network for R2P. Participants expressed support for mainstreaming R2P into existing civil society networks and also organizing around specific campaigns where R2P may apply.
  3. There was interest in establishing two focal points: FORUM-ASIA: Anselmo Lee (Rep. for SAPA): This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and Initiatives for Intl. Dialogue: Gus Miclat (GPPAC Rep. for South East Asia): This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  4. Both Anselmo and Gus agreed to explore how to better translate and mainstream R2P into these existing networks (GPPAC and SAPA) by going back to their Steering Committees.
  5. The focal points will also facilitate communication with other interested NGOs from the region on R2P.
  6. In June 2008, after discussions within GPAAC and SAPA, Anselmo and Gus will reconvene with Asia-Pacific NGO inputs on the structure for a global network for R2P (also at conclusion of WFM-IGP global consultative roundtables).
     
Reports and Flyer:
  • Full R2PCS report on 1st day prepared by the APR2P Centre is available at: Full report
  • Full R2PCS report on 2nd day civil society discussions available at: Full report
  • Conference flyer available is at: Conference flyer
 

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