RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT: ARAB SPRING PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

In this article important issues of legitimacy of government and external interference in the affairs of a State are raised. As a preliminary, the rights and obligations of a State with regard to territorial integrity and sovereignty are considered, prior to analyses of the emergent concept of the responsibility to protect and the principle of self-determination. The article then takes into account events of the Arab Spring, before the author concludes by drawing lessons for States, not only those whose people look to change their own governments, or style of governments, but also those intent on intervention in third States.