title: Opposition groups as parties to internal armed conflicts and the concept
      of the R2P
title: to what extent opposition groups could play a role for the purpose of the
      protection of populations within the concept of the R2P
titleType: Subtitle
Creators: name: Alothman, Abdulmohsen
Publisher: name: Lancaster University
Year: 2017

description: This thesis focuses on opposition groups as parties to internal armed
      conflicts and the concept of the R2P. Accordingly, this research aims to
      examine the extent to which opposition groups, as parties to internal
      armed conflicts, could contribute to the objective of protecting civilian
      populations. The significance of this subject lies in the fact that
      although the primary objective behind the adoption of the R2P is to
      improve the protection provided for civilians within the context of
      internal armed conflicts, the framework regulating the R2P does not
      include any reference to opposition groups as a main party in internal
      armed conflicts. It is practically unseen how civilians could be
      effectively protected in internal armed conflicts without the involvement
      of opposition groups.
      
      The concept of the R2P is used as an interpretive tool to determine the
      role of opposition groups in the protection of civilians. This research
      intends to define the elements related to the concept of civilian
      protection within the framework regulating internal armed conflicts and to
      trace any potential development after the adoption of the R2P. To this
      end, it attempts to consult and analyse the relevant primary and secondary
      materials, such as conventions, reports, cases, books and articles.
      
      First, this project defines the concept of organised armed groups and
      evaluates how organised armed groups are bound by IHL. Second, this thesis
      determines the extent to which organised armed groups already have a
      responsibility to protect under the framework regulating internal armed
      conflicts. This assessment is based on the examination of selected
      obligations that are fundamentally related to the concept of civilian
      protection. Third, the research evaluates the extent to which the adoption
      of the R2P could contribute to the international recognition of the
      political organs of opposition groups. Finally, this thesis examines the
      international R2P and the role of opposition groups. It focuses on the
      provision of arms to opposition groups by third states as well as the
      legality and scope of the authorised use of force for the purpose of
      civilian protection.
      
      The research concludes that opposition groups could play a fundamental
      role in the protection of civilians within the context of internal armed
      conflicts. Like host states, opposition groups are bound by IHL. The level
      of civilian protection that opposition groups are required to provide
      depends on their level of organisation. Opposition groups already have a
      responsibility to protect under the existing rules of IHL. Since the
      adoption of the R2P concept, there have been indications that opposition
      groups could be politically recognised at the international level. It has
      been suggested that the right to self-determination can be relied upon to
      justify the struggle against repressive regimes. Opposition groups, under
      very strict conditions, could receive arms and other forms of help from
      third states for the mere purpose of civilians protection.