R2P in Myanmar

“We don't need more institutions; we don't need more norms! We don't need more legal frameworks. R2P is essential. We still need it to remind countries that they made this commitment to protect people, their own people, and all people from atrocity crimes. If you can't point to this concrete principle, then I struggle to think of what else there is.”

Earlier this year, I spoke to Liam Scott, a researcher based at the Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect, in Washington DC. Liam described in detail the origins behind the principle of R2P, as well as going over its main tenants and definition. Since the coup in Myanmar, his team has been closely following the developing crisis in Myanmar, noting the early calls among Burmese protesters pleading for R2P to be invoked. And to Liam's exasperation and frustration, he's seen how the promise of R2P is now seen as something empty and hollow through the total lack of engagement by international actors and bodies.

Liam took pains during our discussion to point to how R2P is not a legal framework, but rather a commitment made on the part of leaders to stand up to injustice and crimes against humanity. For that reason, he reminds, the protections that R2P points to can only be as strong as those who, at least at one point, lifted up this principle as something noble that the civilized world should aspire to uphold.

As we all know, in the 20 months since the coup transpired, R2P has been all too conveniently forgotten and neglected, which Liam points out has led to even greater atrocities on the part of the Tatmadaw, who now realize they can act with almost total impunity and without any fear of consequences.

For the Burmese people, R2P now stands as worthless as the Five Point Consensus issued by ASEAN, or the inability of the UN or any Western countries to move towards meaningful action in Myanmar which can decrease the unprecedented scale of human suffering now taking place there. And yet Liam and his colleagues, they continue to document the ongoing violence and use their platform to remind countries of their responsibility to uphold this principle.