The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) in Libya and Syria: An Analysis of Competing Normative Discourses

Abstract

In 2011, based on the R2P principles, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) authorized a military intervention led by NATO in Libya to “protect civilians”. Yet, the UNSC could not agree on sanctions or military action to protect civilians in Syria. Analyzing the relevant UNSC resolutions, official documents, and formal statements of state representatives, this study aims to uncover the discursive practices around military interventions. More specifically, it explores official discourses that legitimized the NATO-led military intervention in Libya and non-intervention in Syria. A comparative analysis of the Libyan and Syrian cases presents us with an opportunity to assess where R2P currently stands as an international norm.

Keywords

• R2P
• Discourse
• Libya
• Syria
• Norm contestation

Libya ve Suriye’de Koruma Sorumluluğu (R2P): Rakip Normatif Söylemlerin Analizi

Abstract

2011 yılında, Birleşmiş Milletler Güvenlik Konseyi (BMGK), R2P ilkelerine dayanarak “sivilleri korumak” amacıyla Libya’da NATO öncülüğünde bir askeri müdahaleye izin verdi. Ancak BMGK, Suriye’deki “sivilleri korumak” için yaptırım ya da askeri eylem konusunda uzlaşıya varamadı. Bu çalışma, ilgili BMGK kararlarını, resmî belgeleri ve devlet temsilcilerinin açıklamalarını analiz ederek, askeri müdahaleler üzerine söylemsel pratikleri ortaya çıkarmayı amaçlamaktadır. Daha spesifik olarak çalışma, Libya’da NATO öncülüğündeki askeri müdahaleyi ve Suriye’de müdahalesizliği meşrulaştıran resmi söylemleri araştırmaktadır. Libya ve Suriye vakalarının karşılaştırmalı analizi, gelişmekte olan bir uluslararası norm olarak R2P’nin şu anda nerede durduğunu değerlendirme fırsatı sunacaktır.

Keywords

• R2P
• Söylem
• Libya
• Suriye
• Norm ihtilafı

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