2014
This chapter is forthcoming in the second edited volume of the SHARES book series: André Nollkaemper and Dov Jacobs (eds.), Distribution of Responsibilities in International Law (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015).
16 September 2014
Today’s crises, from the horrors in Iraq and Syria to the persistent violence in South Sudan and Ukraine, demand urgent and collective action to stem atrocity crimes and protect civilians, UN officials said during the meeting of the General Assembly to discuss the ‘responsibility to protect’ adopted nearly 10 years ago by world leaders. (more…)
15 August 2014
The UN has designated its highest level emergency for the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, citing the scale and complexity of the situation, which is impacting tens of thousands of people that have been forcefully displaced by the armed group, Islamic State (IS). The ‘Level 3 Emergency’ designation will ‘facilitate mobilization of additional resources in goods, funds and assets to ensure a more effective response to the humanitarian needs of populations affected by forced displacements’. UN officials are particularly concerned about the situation on Sinjar Mountain, where are at least several thousand people remain trapped and the health conditions are quickly deteriorating. (more…)
Source: UN News Centre | UN declares Iraq ‘Level 3 Emergency’ to trigger more resources, speed up aid delivery
Source: UN News Centre | Amid spread of ‘hatred and brutality,’ Ban urges countries to do more to help Iraqi civilians
5 March 2014
PhD researcher Nienke van der Have will take part in a roundtable and will give a presentation entitled: ‘International Human Rights Obligations and Atrocity Prevention’ at the Asia-Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, at the University of Queensland, on 5 March 2014.
For more information see here.
Members of the SHARES team regularly present their research on a variety of issues of shared responsibility.
22 January 2014
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a stronger response to prevent further human suffering in the Central African Republic (CAR), describing it as ‘a crisis of epic proportions’.
Mr. Ban’s deep concern and call for action were echoed by the UN Human Rights Council in a resolution adopted unanimously, which characterised the current situation in CAR as a total breakdown of law and order. The deteriorating security situation has forced one-fifth of the population to flee their homes, and more than half the population now needs humanitarian assistance. Mr. Ban noted that the UN has scaled up its emergency response, but the humanitarian appeal remains woefully underfunded. The UN and its partners urgently require 152 million US dollar to fund an emergency intervention plan, which aims to provide vital relief and protection to 1.2 million people across the country over the next three months. ‘By acting collectively and in unity, we can uphold our responsibility to protect the people of the CAR and help them move from destitution and despair to a more hopeful path’ he said. ‘We must act together – and act now – to pull the CAR back from the brink of further atrocities.’
Source: United Nations | Secratary-General Ban Ki-moon | Latest Statements | Secretary-General's message for Human Rights Council Special Session on Central African Republic [delivered by Mr. Michael Møller, Acting Head of the United Nations Office in Geneva] | Geneva, Switzerland, 20 January 2014
Source: UNOG News | Human Rights Council Concludes Special Session After Appointing Independent Expert On The Central African Republic | 20 January 2014