Full Answer Section

The UN invoked the R2P principle in the case of Libya in 2011. The Security Council authorized a military intervention in Libya after Muammar Gaddafi, the country’s longtime dictator, responded to local protests with extreme violence. The intervention led to Gaddafi’s overthrow and death.

There are two main critiques of the intervention in Libya. The first critique is that the intervention was not authorized by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security. Instead, the intervention was authorized under Chapter VII, which allows the use of force to protect civilians. This means that the intervention was not authorized to overthrow Gaddafi, but only to protect civilians from his forces.

The second critique of the intervention is that it led to a power vacuum in Libya, which allowed for the rise of armed groups and terrorist organizations. This has made Libya a failed state, and it has been difficult to restore order and stability.

There are a number of lessons that can be learned from Libya about humanitarian interventions. The first lesson is that the use of force should only be authorized as a last resort. The second lesson is that the intervention should be carefully planned and executed in order to minimize civilian casualties. The third lesson is that the intervention should be followed by a comprehensive plan for rebuilding the country and restoring stability.

The R2P principle is a complex and controversial issue. There are strong arguments both for and against the use of force to protect civilians. The intervention in Libya has raised a number of important questions about the R2P principle, and it is likely to continue to be debated for many years to come.

Citations

• Barnett, Michael, and Thomas G. Weiss. “R2P: From Idea to Norm – and Back Again?” International Security 38.2 (2013): 77-113.
• Evans, Gareth. “The Responsibility to Protect: Origin, Evolution, and Future.” International Affairs 81.2 (2005): 283-298.
• International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty. The Responsibility to Protect. Ottawa: International Development Research Centre, 2001.
• Wheeler, Nicholas J. Saving Strangers: Humanitarian Intervention in International Society. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.