TTLV: The concept of Responsibility for Protection and its significance

  INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name:Nguyen Thi Tu

2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: November 7, 1976

4. Place of birth: Bac Giang, Bac Giang

5. Decision No. 2998/2013/QD-XHNV-SDH dated December 30, 2013, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, recognizing the student.

6. Changes in the training process: None.

7. Thesis title:The concept of the Responsibility to Protect and its Significance.

8. Major: International Relations                                  Code: 60.31.02.06

9. Scientific supervisor:Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

10. Summary of the thesis results:

The thesis focuses on issues related to"Responsibility to protect"(Responsibility to Protect - R2P), a relatively new concept in international politics. Although R2P has been increasingly discussed at the United Nations (UN) and many other international mechanisms, in Vietnam, this issue has not received much attention, even from some experts and scholars of international politics.

The thesis has delved into and clarified the following points:

ButRegarding the foundation and basis for the R2P concept:This thesis presents the context in which R2P was formed, including its practical and theoretical basis, and analyzes the development of this concept within the UN system since 2005, when R2P was first adopted by world leaders at the 2005 World Summit.

ButRegarding in-depth research on R2P:This thesis provides deeper insights into R2P, focusing on the "three pillars" of this perspective (namely, the Responsibility to Protect, the Responsibility to Assist Internationally, and the Responsibility to Act Promptly and Decisively).

The thesis also clarifies the characteristics of R2P, including (1) R2P is primarily state-based, (2) R2P is narrow in scope but deep in response and is sustainable and global, (3) R2P is based on established principles in international law, (4) deterrence is the core focus of R2P, and (5) military force is only used when approved by the UN Security Council and when peaceful measures are deemed certain to fail.

Furthermore, the thesis simultaneously analyzes the differences between R2P and the doctrine of "humanitarian intervention" in terms of military intervention, the basis of international law, the object and nature of the action; discusses the conflicting, even opposing, views of the international community on R2P and its application in international relations and politics, thereby showing the conflicting interests of nations and creating an overall picture of this concept.

ButRegarding the practical application of R2P since 2005, future prospects, and lessons learned for Vietnam:This thesis discusses notable humanitarian crises that invoked (or did not invoke) R2P, including situations where R2P constituted an integral part of international action (Sudan/Darfur, Kenya, Libya), situations where international action was taken without or with little invocation of R2P (Somalia, Iraq), and situations where R2P was invoked by some states to legitimize the deployment or threat of force, but only to further clarify the limitations on the scope and implementation of R2P.

Next, the study delves into assessing the prospects of applying R2P as a rule in international relations. Accordingly, the international community will continue to face difficulties in applying R2P; however, with increasing awareness and interest in this issue, R2P will continue to develop both politically and legally, and in the future, it can be hoped that R2P will be considered an international “principle” and further become part of “customary international law”.

Based on the above analyses, this thesis examines the issues relevant to Vietnam: the potential impact of R2P on Vietnam, how Vietnam should respond to conflicts between national sovereignty and human rights, and what Vietnam needs to do to demonstrate that it is a "responsible member" of the international community...

The author of this thesis hopes to draw readers' attention to R2P by providing the most comprehensive overview possible of this interesting topic and other related issues. Through this, diplomats can gain a better understanding of the issues that need attention in handling foreign affairs; policymakers can see the need to consider appropriate solutions to prepare for potential conflicts between R2P and national sovereignty, especially as we are moving towards a more integrated ASEAN within the framework of the ASEAN Community 2015 and campaigning for a second term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Nguyen Thi Tu                               2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: November 7, 1976 4. Place of Birth: Bac Giang

5. Admission decision number: 2998/2013/QD-XHNV-SDH dated December 30, 2013,of Principal University of social Sciences & Humanities.

6. Changes in academic process: No.

7. Official thesis title: The concept of Responsibility to protect and its implications.

8. Major: International Relations                                 9. Code: 60.31.02.06

10. Supervisor: Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University - Hanoi.

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The thesis focuses on matters relating to the concept ofResponsibility to protect(R2PP), the relatively new concept in the world politics. Although R2P has been increasingly mentioned within the United Nations (UN), in many other mechanisms and places of the world, it has not yet been seen popularly in Vietnam, even by some experts or researchers of international politics.

It has provided a thorough examination of these aspects of the matter:

ButAbout the background of the concept of R2P:It presents the context of R2P first articulation which includes the practical and theoretical background and analyzes the development of the concept within the UN system since 2005, when it was first endorsed by the world's leaders at the 2005 World Summit.

ButAbout the insights of R2P:While trying to provide the readers with deep insights of R2P, the research focus on its “three pillars” (those are The protection responsibilities of the State, International assistance and capacity-building, and Timely and decision response).

The thesis also intends to highlight the feature of R2P which includes: (1) R2P lies first and foremost with the state itself, (2) R2P is narrow in scope, but deep in response and universal and enduring in its coverage, (3) R2P is based on well-established principles of international law, (4) Prevention is at the core of R2P, and (5) Military force may be used only when authorized by the UNSC and when other, peaceful, measures are thought unlikely to succeed.

In addition, it means to differentiate between R2P and “humanitarian intervention” in regard to military intervention, international law basis, objects and substances. The divided opinions and positions, some are even opposite, of R2P and its application are also to be discussed, so that the reader can see the conflicted interests of the states and an overall picture of the concept.

ButAbout theimplications of R2P since 2005, its prospect as a principle in international relations and implications for Vietnam: The thesis discusses the prominent humanitarian crisis with (and without) reference of R2P. They include the situations in which R2P has formed part of the actions by the international community in some or all of its three pillars (Sudan/Darfur, Kenya and Libya), the situations in which actions by the international community have been carried out without or with almost no referral to the theory of R2P (Somalia and Iraq), and the situations with R2P invoked but just elucidating the scope of the principle and the limits on its use (Georgia and Crimea, Myanmar and Islamic State).

Thereafter, the research gives an forecast of the R2P's political future as a principle in international relations. According to that, the international community of states will continue to encounter difficult questions about the applicability of R2P, however, together with the more acknowledgment and attention, R2P will continue to evolve both politically and legally and in the future; one can hope that R2P will be described as an international “norm” and morover, a part of “customary international law.”

Given the above-mentioned analysis, the thesis examines the R2P's implications for Vietnam: in what way it can impact Vietnam, how Vietnam should react when it comes to the conflict between the sovereignty and human rights of Vietnam, what Vietnam should do to prove itself a “Responsible Member” of the international community.

The researcher wishes to draw the Vietnamese readers' attention to the concept through giving an overall view as comprehensive as possible of this interesting matter as well as providing more inclusive look of some of the world's issues relating to R2P. On that basis, the diplomats find something to care about their statements; the policy-makers find it necessary to consider the reasonable solutions for the possible conflicts between R2P and sovereignty within our own countries, especially when we are heading for a more integrated ASEAN in the framework of ASEAN Community 2015 (AC15) and the second time running for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC in 2020-2021.