On 11 May the UN Human Rights Council held an intersessional panel discussion to mark the 15th anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.  The discussion was requested in Resolution 44/14, which constituted the first thematic resolution on the R2P adopted at the Human Rights Council (HRC). The meeting focused on an exchange of best practices for strengthening national policies and strategies to implement R2P.

The panel brought together the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet; the UN Special Adviser on R2P, Karen Smith; a Member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Global Centre International Advisory Board member, Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, and more to discuss best practices on strengthening national policies to implement R2P. The Global Centre’s Deputy Executive Director, Savita Pawnday, moderated the discussion. Twenty member states and the European Union delivered remarks at the event. The UN Group of Friends of R2P in Geneva and the Steering Group of the Global Network of R2P Focal Points also delivered statements following the panel discussion. A full meeting summary is available for download below.

Full list of speakers:

Event recording: