The Responsibility to Protect (RtoP, R2P) is an international security and human rights norm endorsed by all heads of state and government at the 2005 World Summit to address the international community’s failure to prevent and stop genocides, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

ICRtoP was founded on 28 January 2009 by representatives of eight regional and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and is now currently composed of over 80 NGOs. The Coalition brings together NGOs from all regions of the world to strengthen normative consensus for RtoP, further the understanding of the norm, push for strengthened capacities to prevent and halt atrocities and mobilize NGOs to advocate for action to save lives in RtoP country-specific situations.

Recognizing the failure to adequately respond to the most heinous crimes known to humankind, world leaders made a historic commitment to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity at the United Nations (UN) 2005 World Summit. This commitment, entitled the Responsibility to Protect, stipulates that:


1. The State carries the primary responsibility for the protection of populations from genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.

2. The international community has a responsibility to assist States in fulfilling this responsibility.

3. The international community should use appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian and other peaceful means to protect populations from these crimes. If a State fails to protect its populations or is in fact the perpetrator of crimes, the international community must be prepared to take stronger measures, including the collective use of force through the UN Security Council.