The Acts of Convention
| Resolution Number: | 2012-A016 |
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| Title: | Affirm the Moral Responsibility to Protect Populations from Atrocities |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention affirms that our Lord’s commandment to love thy neighbor implies a binding moral responsibility on sovereign states to protect their populations from mass atrocities, including genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, as defined by international law; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention welcomes the United Nations’ establishment of the responsibility to protect as an international norm, and its efforts to uphold it through collective action when individual states fail to do so; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention commends the President of the United States for adopting the responsibility to protect as a principle of United States foreign policy; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention most strongly discourages the abuse of this norm to rationalize military actions in sovereign states for political ends; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention encourages the Presiding Bishop through the Office of Government Relations to join the International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect so as to shape the continued development of precautionary principles for this norm and promote its faithful implementation; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention urges all Episcopalians to understand and reflect upon the principle of the responsibility to protect, and to advocate for its adherence by their respective governmental leaders.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 2012 (New York: General Convention, 2012), p. 226. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns |
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| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | National and International Concerns |
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #10 on Resolution A016 (Commend the Responsibility to Protect from Mass Atrocities) and moved adoption with amendment.
Original Text of Resolution
(A016)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention affirms that our Lord’s commandment to love thy neighbor implies a binding moral responsibility on sovereign states to protect their populations from mass atrocities, including genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, as defined by international law; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention welcomes the United Nations’ establishment of the responsibility to protect as an international norm, and its efforts to uphold it through collective action when individual states fail to do so; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention commends the President of the United States for adopting the responsibility to protect as a principle of United States foreign policy; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention condemns the abuse of this norm to rationalize military actions in sovereign states for political ends exceeding its humanitarian intent; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention encourages the Presiding Bishop through the Office of Government Relations to join the International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect so as to shape the continued development of precautionary principles for this norm and promote its faithful implementation; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention urges all Episcopalians to understand and reflect upon the principle of the responsibility to protect, and to advocate for its adherence by their respective governmental leaders.
Committee Amendment
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention affirms that our Lord’s commandment to love thy neighbor implies a binding moral responsibility on sovereign states to protect their populations from mass atrocities, including genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, as defined by international law; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention welcomes the United Nations’ establishment of the responsibility to protect as an international norm, and its efforts to uphold it through collective action when individual states fail to do so; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention commends the President of the United States for adopting the responsibility to protect as a principle of United States foreign policy; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention
condemns most strongly discourages the abuse of this
norm to rationalize military actions in sovereign states for political ends exceeding its humanitarian intent ; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention encourages the Presiding Bishop through the Office of Government Relations to join the International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect so as to shape the continued development of precautionary principles for this norm and promote its faithful implementation; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention urges all Episcopalians to understand and reflect upon the principle of the responsibility to protect, and to advocate for its adherence by their respective governmental leaders.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #110)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #14 on HD Message #110 on Resolution A016 (Commend the Responsibility to Protect from Mass Atrocities) and moved concurrence.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message # 173)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 10.
| Report Reference: | Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns, Reports to the 77th General Convention, 2012, pp. 95-107. |
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| Abstract: | The 77th General Convention affirms the moral responsibility of governments and individuals to protect populations that are threatened by mass atrocities and crimes against humanity and welcomes the UN’s establishment of this responsibility as an international norm. |