ABSTRACT
It is widely recognized that regional arrangements have an important role to play in assisting states to build the capacity to protect their populations, preventing responding to genocide and mass atrocities, and adding value to the UN’s efforts.1 Indeed, the World Summit Outcome Document specified at least seven distinct roles for regional arrangements. They should: (a) en courage and help states to fulfil their primary responsibility to protect (para. 138); (b) support the UN in establishing an early warning capability (para. 138); (c) help states build the capacity to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity (para. 139); (d) assist states under stress before a crisis breaks out (para. 139); (e) support the mission of the Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide (para. 140); (f) utilize peaceful measures under Chapter VIII of the UN Charter to respond to crises involving genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleans ing and crimes against humanity (para. 139); (g) cooperate with the Secur - ity Council in the application of measures, including Chapter VII measures, when peaceful means are inadequate and national authorities are manifestly failing to protect their populations (para. 139).2 Of course, it is for regional arrangements themselves to determine precisely how they will fulfil these roles, taking into consideration relevant regional needs, capacities, and norms of behaviour and we should therefore expect to see significant regional differences in the roles taken up by regional organizations.
