The Responsibility to Prevent

The responsibility to protect (R2P) is a multifaceted and evolving concept. Nevertheless, it is generally agreed that the concept encompasses a continuum of prevention, reaction and rebuilding, spanning from early warning to diplomatic pressure, to coercive measures and to peace-building efforts.¹ The 2005 World Summit Outcome, which sets out the consensus among the world leaders on the R2P concept, envisages prevention as an inseparable component.² Despite the significance of prevention in the entire R2P discourse, there has been a relative lack of attention to the preventive aspect of this concept,³ particularly in terms of the international collective responsibility and the need for an early and flexible response in Pillars 2 and 3. In fact, the focus of academic commentary and policy debate has been given to the responsibility to react in Pillar 3, not least because it is this dimension where the international aspects of the concept are directly engaged.