What could trigger the application of the R2P doctrine?

The principle of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is fundamentally rooted in the idea that a state has the duty to protect its own citizens from atrocities such as genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. When a state is unable or unwilling to fulfill this responsibility, it can trigger the application of the R2P doctrine. This failure typically manifests as a state’s incapacity to protect its own citizens from violence, leading to international concern and intervention to safeguard those at risk. This concept emphasizes the international community's obligation to act when a state is unable to guarantee the safety and security of its populace, thereby reinforcing the moral imperative to intervene on humanitarian grounds when necessary.