Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota to take part in a debate on “Responsibility While Protecting” at the United Nations – New York, 21 February 2012

On 21 February, Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota will take part in a debate held by Brazil at the UN Headquarters on “responsibility while protecting”.

“Responsibility while protecting” was introduced by President Dilma Rousseff in her address to the 66th United Nations General Assembly last September. Subsequently, at a Security Council debate, Brazil presented a concept note on the matter, available in all six official languages of the United Nations at: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/66/551.

The concept of “responsibility while protecting” is based on the following fundamental principles: favoring prevention and peaceful means for settling disputes; the need to exhaust all peaceful means for protecting civilians; the requirement that any military action be authorized by the Security Council, limited in its operation and temporal elements; and the need to monitor and assess the resolutions authorizing interventions.

The debate reflects the great interest the concept has received since its proposal, and will convene representatives from UN Member States, non-government organizations, scholars and international officials.