Protection of Internally Displaced Persons in Darfur: a dilemma and failure of responsibility to protect.

Abstract

One of the new emerging debatable topics is protection of Internally Displaced Persons [IDPs] from suppression of their governments. The topic has not been discussed extensively. Writings that discuss protection of IDPs are not extensive and discuss it rhetorically without defining protection mechanisms. This thesis adds to the ongoing discussion by defining and examining these protection mechanisms. It will include the emergence of new concepts like â â human securityâ â and â â responsibility to protectâ â which have changed the conceptualization of state sovereignty. The thesis will use Darfur as a case study a place where many scholars contest that â â responsibility to protectâ â has failed. The protection mechanisms include: international and regional human rights bodies, humanitarian assistance, advocacy, rule of law, external intervention and national efforts. The thesis argues that the lack of political will is the major obstacle to protection of IDPs. There are other obstacles identified within each mechanism, mainly because each one has its own internal deficiencies. Protection mechanisms provide efficient protection to IDPs only when the international community shows political will to provide protection. Sudanâ s compliance with protection efforts has been crucial in determining their success. The thesis finds that these protection mechanisms vary in terms of providing protection. Some of these protection mechanisms like human rights bodies do not provide tangible protection, and some like advocacy have a negative effect. The conclusion of the thesis is that international community efforts can not replace the statesâ , and if the state does not take that responsibility then protection will not be adequate. This conclusion comes from the reality that the international community consists of states, which have different interests that states show more concern about than protection of IDPs in Darfur.