Overlooking Mass Atrocities: The Absence of the Responsability to Protect in the Uyghur Crisis

The Responsibility to Protect is among the most fundamental methods for preventing and addressing atrocity crimes across the globe. Its implementation, although long questioned, has brought about humanitarian interventions into the borders of several states. Still, despite its use, the doctrine appears forgotten in the continued human rights atrocities that occur in Xinjiang, China against the ethnic Uyghur population. In recognition of this, it is imperative to discover why there is an absence of the Responsibility to Protect in this case, to constitute a basis for resolving this impediment. It appears that there is a scholarly gap concerning the facets that contribute to this non-use, which may be filled by thorough research. This thesis aimed to do exactly this. On the basis of the three main international relations theories; realism, liberalism and constructivism, the actions and rationales of the international community were scrutinised. This led to the idea that there is a plethora of elements that can explain state behaviour in preventing the use of the Responsibility to Protect in this specific case. Self- interest was the most commonly recognised factor for shaping state’s actions. This finding plays a key role in the search for solutions that can enable the use of the doctrine to aid the Uyghur population.