   Reforming the United Nations to Address the “Responsibility to Protect” Peter Langille, University of Victoria [pdf file] Related Documents: Kofi Annan, U.N. Secretary-General [pdf file] Observation of International Day of Reflection on 1994 Rwanda Genocide MEETING ABSTRACT The report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (ICISS) published December 2001 and entitled “The Responsibility to Protect” sets forth policies and principles to guide the international community’s response to genocide and other “conscience-shocking crimes.” The nation-state has a responsibility to protect its citizens; where the state is unable or unwilling to prevent massive crimes the international community has a responsibility to intervene. Former Prime Minister Chretien and current Prime Minister Martin have both highlighted “The Responsibility to Protect” in recent speeches that describe the importance Canada ascribes to United Nations reform. On November 4, 2003 Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced the establishment of a high-level panel that will study global security threats and reform of the United Nations organization. The 16-member “Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change” will examine current challenges to peace and security, review the functioning of the major UN organs, and recommend reforms. The high-level panel is chaired by Anand Panyarachun, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, and is to report by late Fall of 2004. On May 7, at a meeting organized by the World Federalist Movement – Canada, participants will consider a range of measures that would strengthen the United Nations, through reform of its institutions and processes. In particular, the meeting will consider reforms that strengthen the UN’s capacity to advance the principles developed by the ICISS. This meeting will generate discussion and recommendations for consideration by the high-level panel, the Government of Canada and civil society organizations. Summary list of topics and issues that will be considered: • Recent Canadian efforts aimed at wider acceptance of R2P norms; challenges in the current UN context • Institutional checks and balances on the use of power for humanitarian purposes • Difficulties achieving Security Council reform; possible ad hoc arrangements that would improve functioning of and representation on the Council; • Measures to improve the functioning and impact of the Commission on Human Rights • Recent proposals from the UN SG, including a committee of parties to the Genocide Convention; UN S-G Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide • Civil Society perspectives on the Responsibility to Protect; CSO relations with institutions mandated to maintain peace and security • Enhancing peace operations and international capacity for rapid response to threats to international peace and security • Strengthening the UN’s role in post-conflict transitions SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS Flora MacDonald WFM – Canada President - Introductory, meeting objectives and format Steven Stedman (or panel representative) UN High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change - Overview of panel’s work, schedule, possibilities for follow-up David MacDonald, Concordia University - Overview of Canadian foreign policy context Heidi Hulan, Foreign Affairs Canada - Canada’s current R2P program and recent efforts to advance R2P norms Abiodun Williams, UN Secretariat, NY - Kofi Annan’s proposal for committee of parties to Genocide Convention &Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide (proposal(s) made January 26, Stockholm; in speech to Cdn Parliament; and announced at Rwanda commemorative event, CHR Geneva) John Packer, Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University - Preventing Genocide: Recent Proposals from the UN SG Antonio José Almeida, Rights and Democracy - Reforms to improve the functioning of the Commission on Human Rights John Foster, North-South Institute - How might the High-level Panel address non-military (economic and social) threats to peace and security? Jim Paul, Director, Global Policy Forum and Chair, NGO Working Group on the Security Council - difficulties achieving Security Council reform; possible ad hoc arrangements that would improve functioning of and representation on Council. Bill Pace Executive Director, World Federalist Movement, Convenor, Coalition for the International Criminal Court - Civil Society Organizations and their evolving relations with institutions mandated to maintain peace and security Peter Langille, Human Security Fellow, University of Victoria - A UN Emergency Response Force; prospects for advancing international capacity for rapid response to threats to international peace Michael Byers, Professor of Law and Director of Canadian Studies, Duke University - the need for effective checks and balances on the use of power for humanitarian purposes; overcoming international “constitutional challenges” to carry the R2P agenda forward |