The Syrian Crisis: A Challenge to Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention - Research Proposal Example

The crises have led to the loss of lives, in particular, the Syrian crisis that has taken over three years to resolve. In all this chaos, human rights groups, the United Nations, and other major world powers are reading different scripts on what to do and the appropriate kinds of interventions necessary to avert the crisis or bring it to an end.

In most of these conflicts, States such as Libya, Egypt, and Syria are advocating for regime change, change of the Constitutions, or clamoring for their rights, freedoms, and liberty hindered by the state. Dispute resolution mechanisms such as negations, arbitration, mediation, good offices, and inquiry have failed to quell the escalation of violence in the state of Syria, bringing into question the place of international communities in ending armed conflict to avert the humanitarian crisis. Further, one would question whether the policies, declarations, and conventions created to govern international peace are inadequate in such a crisis and whether the other states have any role to play in the crisis. Moreover, one would question whether it is time to change the human rights protection regime since it is inadequate in such circumstances.

The Syrian conflict did not start as an armed conflict but as a protest against the dictatorial nature of the government. The protests escalated to armed conflict between the Syrian Government military agencies against rebels who desire that the President steps down.

This research aims to partake in a deeper understanding of the Syrian crisis, the role of human rights bodies, and the ICRC in the crisis. Further, it seeks to analyze the shortcomings of the regime in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Syria and whether the international community can play a role in finding an end to the crisis. It also addresses the bars to humanitarian intervention, especially regarding Article 2 (1) of the United Nations Charter (sovereignty, equality of states, and non-intervention). When it is right to intervene and the issues of veto power in regards to intervention by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Special emphasis is placed on the ongoing crisis in Syria.

• 1.2 Background Information

Syria’s history dates back to 1920, after its establishment under the French mandate. Syria’s independence was declared in 1946. Its history is bleak with coups that came to an end in 1963 soon after the Baath party took control of Syria but at the same time, the party had power struggles within it. After 1970, Syria had an authoritarian regime started by Hafez al-Assad who took over party leadership lasting for over thirty years. The Muslim Brotherhood though founded in Egypt as early as 1928, it is a political outfit, international and it focuses on creating Sharia law in a state. Syria successfully suppressed the armed uprising sponsored by the Muslim Brotherhood in 1982 leaving thousands dead. The religious difference that exists between the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood and the Alawite regime coupled with Assad’s oppressive regime has led the opposition to result in activities that have led to the current crisis in Syria.