Tackling the potential for the rule of law to guide and support UN Security Council decision-making with respect to the use of military force was the focus of a recent workshop held near UN headquarters in New York. Among the invited speakers was University of Alberta Faculty of Law Professor Joanna Harrington, who spoke on the topic of "protecting responsibly" within the context of a UN mandate to use military force to protect civilians during conflicts.
As noted by Professor Harrington: "The situation in Syria has shown the need for greater engagement within the international system on the responsibility to protect civilians in times of conflict. With Australia serving as a member of the Security Council, it's great to see the interest in developing a greater role for law at the sharpest end of international affairs. Plus, the opportunity to present your work-in-progress to such an experienced audience and to gain from the insights available at the table and during sideline conversations is invaluable."
Held at Australia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and co-organized by the Regulatory Institutions Network (RegNet) at the Centre for International Governance and Justice at the Australian National University and the Australian Civil-Military Centre, the workshop brought together leading academics from several countries, New York-based practitioners of international law posted with their country's permanent mission to the UN, and officials from the UN Secretary-General's office. The papers presented at the workshop will now be revised and later published as a collection.
Professor Harrington was one of several professors invited to participate in the Australian project on "Strengthening the rule of law through the United Nations Security Council." For more information on the project, click here.
