R2P intervention, BRICS countries, and the no-fly zone measure in Libya

This paper adds value to ongoing academic debate on the emergence and evolution of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) norm. This is achieved through the proposition that understanding the coherent position taken by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS countries) in the case of R2P implementation in Libya in 2011 is important if we are to anticipate the development of this norm. Many studies have examined R2P within this context. But few of these focused on the interventions of BRICS countries in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debates regarding R2P implementation in Libya. Analysis of statements made by BRICS countries—as a unified political group in those debates—has revealed that they have indeed advanced a coherent position regarding the definition and implementation of the R2P norm. More particularly, this paper finds that three distinctive features have characterised this coherent position, namely: (i) any form of intervention must refrain from preferential treatment of one party over the other, (ii) military intervention may be acceptable as a last resort only in situations where all peaceful options have been fully considered, and (iii) the criterion of reasonable prospects for success of an intervention must be met if an intervention is to be supported by BRICS countries in the future