In-house Seminar

This in-house seminar provides a comparative analysis of the application and strategic implications of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) norm in various international crises. The session aims to draw actionable lessons for Bangladesh, particularly in leveraging international norms to advance its national and strategic interests. The discussion will begin by dissecting the three pillars of R2P: the state’s responsibility to protect its populations, the international community’s role in assistance, and its responsibility to intervene when a state fails. The seminar will compare and contrast key cases where R2P has been invoked or debated, such as Libya, Syria, and Côte d'Ivoire, with cases where it has been conspicuously absent, most notably in Myanmar concerning the Rohingya.

By analyzing these divergent outcomes, the seminar will identify the political, strategic, and legal factors that determine the successful application of the R2P norm. A key focus will be on understanding how smaller and middle-power states can effectively advocate for and shape the discourse around R2P within multilateral forums like the United Nations. For Bangladesh, which has been at the forefront of a major humanitarian crisis, understanding these dynamics is crucial. The seminar will explore how Bangladesh can more effectively frame the Rohingya crisis within the R2P framework to galvanize international action, build coalitions, and apply diplomatic pressure. The ultimate goal is to formulate a strategic approach for Bangladesh to not only contribute to the evolution of international norms but also to skillfully utilize them as a tool of foreign policy to protect its security, promote regional stability, and uphold its commitment to humanitarian principles.