The responsibility to protect and Australian foreign policy

Abstract

It is widely recognised that the Responsibility to Protect (RtoP), adopted by heads of state and government in 2005, is an important new international principle. Australia has been one of the principle's most significant contributors, with prominent Australians and governments from both sides of politics contributing to its development, emergence, and implementation. This article traces and explains Australia's contribution to RtoP and asks what more it might do to assist in its implementation. It argues that Australia's commitment to RtoP is informed by a synergy of values and interests and has been strengthened by the Rudd government's reengagement with multilateralism. It concludes by calling for the development of a whole-of-government strategy for implementation and by suggesting some policy avenues that might be considered.

Notes

1. Indeed, it is worth noting that Australia has traditionally been more actively engaged in Africa than it was under Howard. The Fraser government was actively engaged in the Rhodesia peace process and committed to the process in Namibia and to ending white minority rule in Africa. Under the leadership of Gareth Evans, Australia was subsequently engaged in the peace operations in Somalia and Rwanda.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alex J. Bellamy

Alex J. Bellamy is Professor of International Security at the Griffith Asia Institute/Centre for Governance and Public Policy, Griffith University, Australia. He is co-chair of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Study Group on the Responsibility to Protect. From 2007–2010 he was Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect