Improving the doctrine of responsibility to protect in Ukraine : lessons learned from Srebrenica and Kosovo

Abstract

The thesis focuses on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the possible implementation of the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect. More specifically, the project aims to the recognition of past mistakes committed in particular during the nineties in the Balkan region, to find possible solutions to avoid any possible repetition of those failures. The two cases chosen to be used as examples of past interventions are the cases of Srebrenica (1995) and Kosovo (1999). These two cases are an exact representation of the two extremes of humanitarian intervention, from the solemn respect of the principle of sovereignty in Srebrenica to the NATO led air-strikes in Kosovo. The case of Ukraine and Russia is currently concerning the entire world, given the risks at stake and the alleged number of gross human rights violations occurring in the Donbas region. The UN and more in general the international community have the duty to prevent what it seems to be leading to a possible massive violation of international humanitarian law. In order to do so, the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect seems to be the best tool at the disposal of the member states. Nonetheless, as a doctrine, given the political drive of the actors involved and the economic crisis, the same needs to be adapted and improved to the current needs of the same international community.