-Pakistan
has told the UN General Assembly that the doctrine of Responsibility to
Protect, the international understanding to intervene to stop
atrocities from taking place, would remain a “hollow concept” without
addressing the historical injustices like festering disputes and worst
cases of foreign occupation.“Use of regional mechanisms or early
warning systems and need for
prompt response are equally important for new and old
disputes/situations,.”Pakistani delegate Raza Bashir Tarar said in the
course of the General Assembly’s Interactive Dialogue on the
Responsibility to Protect.
“Addressing all situations in an impartial manner is the key to achieving consensus on this concept,” he added.
Agreed at a summit of world leaders in 2005 and sometimes known as “R2P”, the concept holds States responsible for shielding their own populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and related crimes against humanity and requires the international community to step in if this obligation is not met.
Intervening in the debate,the Pakistani delegate made it clear that responsibility to protect remains the primary responsibility of the State and cannot be arrogated by or delegated to other actors in defiance of the established- UN Charter principles of non-intervention, national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said situations have to be dealt with objectively on a case-by-case basis. Use of peaceful means should always precede actions under Chapter VII (enforcement measures) with full involvement of regional mechanisms.
“By strengthening States” socio-economic development conflicts which quite frequently are rooted in underdevelopment and poverty can be averted,” Tarar told the 192-member Assembly.
The Pakistani delegate also cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach, saying eschewing incitement and respecting diversity are key ingredients of prevention methodologies. “To preserve these valuable principles,
the right to freedom of expression must be exercised with responsibility,” he stressed.
While States are responsible for protecting their populations, the Pakistan delegate said actions of international community should also be held up to the same criterion to ensure that no harm is inflicted upon those whose protection was invoked to take a specific action.
“A two-way flow of information between regional and global actors can enhance understanding of a situation,” he said while warning against selective or false alarms.
Underscoring the need for the Security Council to investigate any dispute or situation judiciously, Tarar said, “Politicized decision making has only led to prolonged suffering of peoples under foreign occupation and erosion of faith in UN’s ability to act as an honest broker.
“Addressing all disputes and situations in an even handed manner is crucial to the credibility of the UN as well as effective and efficient responses on ground.” APP
Agreed at a summit of world leaders in 2005 and sometimes known as “R2P”, the concept holds States responsible for shielding their own populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and related crimes against humanity and requires the international community to step in if this obligation is not met.
Intervening in the debate,the Pakistani delegate made it clear that responsibility to protect remains the primary responsibility of the State and cannot be arrogated by or delegated to other actors in defiance of the established- UN Charter principles of non-intervention, national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said situations have to be dealt with objectively on a case-by-case basis. Use of peaceful means should always precede actions under Chapter VII (enforcement measures) with full involvement of regional mechanisms.
“By strengthening States” socio-economic development conflicts which quite frequently are rooted in underdevelopment and poverty can be averted,” Tarar told the 192-member Assembly.
The Pakistani delegate also cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach, saying eschewing incitement and respecting diversity are key ingredients of prevention methodologies. “To preserve these valuable principles,
the right to freedom of expression must be exercised with responsibility,” he stressed.
While States are responsible for protecting their populations, the Pakistan delegate said actions of international community should also be held up to the same criterion to ensure that no harm is inflicted upon those whose protection was invoked to take a specific action.
“A two-way flow of information between regional and global actors can enhance understanding of a situation,” he said while warning against selective or false alarms.
Underscoring the need for the Security Council to investigate any dispute or situation judiciously, Tarar said, “Politicized decision making has only led to prolonged suffering of peoples under foreign occupation and erosion of faith in UN’s ability to act as an honest broker.
“Addressing all disputes and situations in an even handed manner is crucial to the credibility of the UN as well as effective and efficient responses on ground.” APP
