Rebecca is a Senior Research Fellow with the Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, University of Queensland. Her research focuses on the role of the UN General Assembly in relation to atrocity crimes, as well as the responsibility to protect, state responsibility, international organisations, international humanitarian law and humanitarian assistance. Her research draws on more than 15 years experience in the humanitarian sector, primarily with international NGOs, including long-term roles in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan and Indonesia and shorter-term assignments throughout South-East Asia and the Pacific. She has also worked as a humanitarian policy advisor with Oxfam and Save the Children in the UK and Australia, and as a lecturer with Deakin University’s Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, where she remains affiliated as a research associate. Rebecca holds masters degrees in public international law and international development, and she is a member of the International Humanitarian Law Advisory Committee with the Australian Red Cross.
Phd title: The Powers of the UN General Assembly to Prevent and Respond to Atrocity Crimes
Supervisors: Professor Anthony Cassimatis (primary) and Professor Alex Bellamy
Publications
Book Chapters
Barber, Rebecca J. (2022). Does international law permit the provision of humanitarian assistance without host state consent? Territorial integrity, necessity and the determinative function of the General Assembly. Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law, Volume 23 (2020). (pp. 85-121) edited by Terry D. Gill, Robin Geiß, Heike Krieger and Rebecca Mignot-Mahdavi. The Hague, Netherlands: T.M.C. Asser Press. doi: 10.1007/978-94-6265-491-4_5
Barber, Rebecca (2016). Humanitarian assistance following the 2011 floods in Thailand and Cambodia: the importance of formal invitations and informal relationships. Rebuilding Asia following natural disasters: approaches to reconstruction in the Asia-Pacific region. (pp. 315-338) edited by Patrick Daly and R. Michael Feener. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/cbo9781139683548.013
Barber, Rebecca (2014). Localising the humanitarian toolkit: lessons from recent Philippines disasters. Natural disaster management in the Asia-Pacific: policy and governance. (pp. 17-31) edited by Caroline Brassard, Arnold M. Howitt and David W. Giles. Tokyo, Japan: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-4-431-55157-7_2
Journal Articles
Barber, Rebecca (2022). What does the Responsibility to Protect require of states in Ukraine?. Journal of International Peacekeeping, 25 (2), 155-177. doi: 10.1163/18754112-25020005
Barber, Rebecca (2022). The role of the General Assembly in determining the legitimacy of governments. International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 71 (3), 1-30. doi: 10.1017/S0020589322000148
Barber, Rebecca J. (2022). Cooperating through the General Assembly to end Serious Breaches of Peremptory Norms. International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 71 (1), 1-35. doi: 10.1017/S002058932100049X
Barber, Rebecca and Teitt, Sarah (2021). Legitimacy and centrality under threat: the case for an ASEAN response to human rights violations against the Rohingya. Asian Politics and Policy, 13 (4), 471-492. doi: 10.1111/aspp.12602
Barber, Rebecca (2021). An exploration of the General Assembly's troubled relationship with unilateral sanctions. International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 70 (2), 343-378. doi: 10.1017/s0020589321000026
Barber, Rebecca (2020). Revisiting the legal effect of General Assembly resolutions: can an authorising competence for the Assembly be grounded in the Assembly’s ‘Established Practice’, ‘Subsequent Practice’ or Customary International Law?. Journal of Conflict and Security Law, 26 (1), 9-39. doi: 10.1093/jcsl/kraa025
Barber, Rebecca and Teitt, Sarah (2020). The Rohingya crisis: can ASEAN salvage its credibility?. Survival, 62 (5), 41-54. doi: 10.1080/00396338.2020.1819642
Barber, Rebecca (2020). A survey of the General Assembly's competence in matters of international peace and security: in law and practice. Journal on the Use of Force and International Law, 8 (1), 1-42. doi: 10.1080/20531702.2020.1776505
Barber, Rebecca (2020). Sharia law, traditional justice and violence against women: lessons from Sudan. The Journal of Human Rights, 14 (2), 247-269. doi: 10.22096/hr.2020.121463.1200
Barber, Rebecca (2019). The ethics of research in humanitarian action. Research in Ethical Issues in Organizations, 22, 69-85. doi: 10.1108/S1529-209620190000022006
Barber, Rebecca (2019). Accountability for Crimes against the Rohingya. Journal of International Criminal Justice, 17 (3), 557-584. doi: 10.1093/jicj/mqz031
Barber, Rebecca (2019). Uniting for Peace Not Aggression: Responding to Chemical Weapons in Syria Without Breaking the Law. Journal of Conflict & Security Law, 24 (1), 71-110. doi: 10.1093/jcsl/kry029
Barber, Rebecca (2018). Legal Preparedness for the Facilitation of International Humanitarian Assistance in the Aftermath of Vanuatu's Cyclone Pam. Asian Journal of International Law, 8 (1), 143-165. doi: 10.1017/s2044251316000242
Barber, Rebecca (2014). Learning from humanitarian response in southeast Asia: the shifting roles of national and international actors. Development Bulletin, 76, 89-93.
Barber, Rebecca J. (2010). The Proportionality Equation: Balancing Military Objectives with Civilian Lives in the Armed Conflict in Afghanistan. Journal of Conflict & Security Law, 15 (3), 467-500. doi: 10.1093/jcsl/krq017
Barber, Rebecca (2009). Facilitating humanitarian assistance in international humanitarian and human rights law. International Review of the Red Cross, 91 (874), 371-397. doi: 10.1017/s1816383109990154
Barber, Rebecca (2009). Reflections on the Peacekeeping Failure in Darfur: Is There Any Substance to the 'Responsibility to Protect'?. Journal of International Peacekeeping, 13 (3-4), 294-326. doi: 10.1163/187541009x12463418050696
Barber, Rebecca (2009). The Responsibility to Protect the Survivors of Natural Disaster: Cyclone Nargis, a Case Study. Journal of Conflict & Security Law, 14 (1), 3-34. doi: 10.1093/jcsl/krn026
Barber, Rebecca J. (2008). Protecting the Right to Housing in the Aftermath of Natural Disaster: Standards in International Human Rights Law. International Journal of Refugee Law, 20 (3), 432-468. doi: 10.1093/ijrl/een024
Conference Papers
Barber, Rebecca (2022). Cooperating through the General Assembly to end Serious Breaches of Peremptory Norms of International Law. Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, London, United Kingdom, 6-9 September 2022.
Barber, Rebecca (2022). Cooperating through the General Assembly to end serious breaches of peremptory norms of international law. 29th Annual ANZSIL Conference: International Law and Global Inter-Connectedness, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 30 June-2 July 2022.
Barber, Rebecca (2022). The role of the UN General Assembly in determining the legitimacy of governments. 11th Annual Cambridge International Law Conference: Strengthening Global Governance through International Law: Challenges and Opportunities, Cambridge/Online, 26-27 March 2022.
Barber, Rebecca (2021). The Obligation to Cooperate to end Serious Breaches of Peremptory Norms: How States can, and Should, use the UN General Assembly. The Duty of States to Cooperate in International Law: 30th Annual Conference of the Society of Legal Scholars / British Institute of International and Comparative Law, London / Online, 29 November 2021.
Barber, Rebecca (2021). The Powers of the UNGA in the UN Charter in relation to Human Rights and International Peace and Security. Getting International Law Back on Track? 50th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council of International Law, Online, 20-22 October 2021.
Barber, Rebecca (2021). How can states use the General Assembly to fulfil their obligation to cooperate to end serious breaches of peremptory norms of international law?. 28th Annual Conference of the Australian New Zealand Society of International Law: Post Graduate Workshop, Online, 7 July 2021.
Barber, Rebecca (2021). The powers of the UNGA in the UN charter in relation to human rights and international peace and security. Inertia or Innovation? Reshaping International Law for a Complex Future: 28th Annual Conference of the Australia and New Zealand Society of International Law, Online, 30 June-6 July 2021.
Barber, Rebecca and Bamforth, Tom (2021). Can Humanitarian Assistance be Provided Without Either Host State Consent or Security Council Authorisation? The Syrian Humanitarian Crisis, Necessity, and the Determinative Function of the UN General Assembly. 10th Annual Cambridge International Law Conference, Online, 18-20 March 2021.
Barber, Rebecca (2020). ASEAN’s Response to the Rohingya Crisis. 9th Biennial Oceanic Conference on International Studies, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 7-11 December 2020.
Barber, Rebecca (2020). The UNGA’s residual responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. 9th Biennial Oceanic Conference on International Studies, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 7-11 December 2020.
Barber, Rebecca (2019). The Role of the General Assembly in Pursuing Accountability for Crimes against Humanity in Myanmar. Annual Workshop of the Australian New Zealand Society of International Law International Peace and Security Interest Group, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 31 May 2019.
Barber, Rebecca and Briggs, Caelin (2019). Government Leadership in Preventing and Responding to Conflict-Related Humanitarian Crises. Asia Pacific Humanitarian Leadership Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 22-24 May 2019.
Barber, Rebecca (2019). Research with Vulnerable Populations in Humanitarian Crises: Ethical Challenges and Overlooked Areas. Ethics and Humanitarian Research: Generating Evidence Ethically (PREA Conference 2019), Columbus, OH, United States, 25-26 March 2019.
Barber, Rebecca (2018). Ethics and Research in Humanitarian Action. 25th Annual Conference of the Australian Association of Professional and Applied Ethics, Melbourne, Australia, 5-7 September 2018.
Barber, Rebecca (2015). Using International Humanitarian Law to Advocate for Improved Humanitarian Access in Syria. MSF / Deakin International Humanitarian Law Symposium, Melbourne, Australia, 24 September 2015.
Barber, Rebecca (2015). Balancing the Local with the Global: Reflections on the Response to Vanuatu’s Cyclone Pam. A Quest for Humanitarian Effectiveness, Manchester, United Kingdom , 14-16 September 2015.
Barber, Rebecca (2015). One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Tailoring the International Response to the Need following Vanuatu’s Cyclone Pam. Disasters and International Law in the Asia Pacific, Sydney, Australia, 24 July 2015.
Barber, Rebecca (2015). The Facilitation and Regulation of International Disaster Relief. Regional Disaster Law Forum for South East Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 10-11 June 2015.
Barber, Rebecca (2013). Learning from Humanitarian Response in Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines: The Shifting Roles of National, Regional and International Actors. International Humanitarian Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28-30 November 2013.
Barber, Rebecca (2013). Learning from Humanitarian Response in Southeast Asia: The Shifting Roles of National, Regional and International Actors. Fourth ACFID University Network Conference, Development Futures: Alternative Pathways to End Poverty, Sydney, Australia, 21-22 November 2013.
Barber, Rebecca (2012). Remote Monitoring in Afghanistan. 8th International Lessons Learned Conference, Sydney, Australia, 3-6 December 2012.
Barber, Rebecca (2012). Reflections on the Humanitarian Response to the 2011 Southeast Asian Floods. Asia Public Policy Forum: Disaster Management in Asia, Singapore, 13-15 May 2012.
Conference Proceedings
Rebecca Barber and Yvette Zegenhagen eds. (2019). Humanitarian access and international law: a symposium for humanitarian practitioners, researchers, trainers and policy-makers: summary report. Humanitarian access and international law Symposium, Burwood, VIC Australia, 17 October 2019. Melbourne, VIC Australia: Centre for Humanitarian Leadership and Australian Red Cross.
Newspaper Articles
Barber, Rebecca (2023, 03 22). Can ASEAN forge a political solution in Myanmar? The Interpreter
Barber, Rebecca (2022, 10 03). Reflections from the 10th annual meeting of the Global Network of R2P Focal Points Fresh Perspectives
Barber, Rebecca (2022, 09 21). Addressing atrocity crimes at the United Nations General Assembly’s 77th Session Just Security 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2022, 09 19). Inching forward but a long road ahead to achieve justice for the Rohingya Just Security
Barber, Rebecca (2022, 03 29). The people of Myanmar need to be heard, not ostracized, on the international stage Just Security
Barber, Rebecca (2022, 03 25). Does the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ require states to go to war with Russia? Just Security
Barber, Rebecca (2022, 03 01). Could Russia be suspended from the United Nations? EJIL:Talk!
Barber, Rebecca (2022, 02 26). What can the UN General Assembly do about Russian aggression in Ukraine? EJIL:Talk!
Barber, Rebecca (2021, 09 14). How the UN General Assembly can respond to atrocity crimes at Its 76th session Just Security
Barber, Rebecca , Bourdon, William , Dugard, John , Garzon, Baltasar , Genser, Jared , Justice Goldstone, Richard J. , Neier, Aryeh , Dr. Petcharamesree, Sriprapha , Sidoti, Chris , Udagama, Nelum Deepika and Wahyuningrum, Yuyun (2021, 09 12). Myanmar’s Credentials at the UN PassBlue
Barber, Rebecca (2021, 09 01). Will the Taliban represent Afghanistan at the UN General Assembly? EJIL:Talk! 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2021, 06 21). The UN Has Options Beyond the Security Council for Cross-Border Aid to Syria Just Security
Barber, Rebecca (2021, 06 03). Human rights must be prioritised over 'consensus at all costs' The Canberra Times
Barber, Rebecca and Bellamy, Alex (2021, 05 04). It’s time for the General Assembly to step up its response to massive human rights violations International Service for Human Rights
Barber, Rebecca (2021, 04 19). Australia must object to Myanmar's military junta being present at the UN The Canberra Times
Barber, Rebecca (2021, 03 17). Lack of action over Myanmar coup an indictment on ASEAN The Strategist
Barber, Rebecca (2021, 03 04). Myanmar’s military coup: a consequence of an international failure of cooperation ILA Reporter 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2021, 02 25). UN Security Council won’t respond to Myanmar’s coup, but the General Assembly can Just Security
Barber, Rebecca (2020, 07 09). Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Assistance ANZSIL Perspective 3-5.
Barber, Rebecca (2020, 07 08). The New U.S. “Caesar” Sanctions on Syria Are Illegal Just Security 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca and Teitt, Sarah (2020, 06 17). ASEAN Summit: A chance to engage on the Rohingya crisis The Interpreter 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2020, 06 10). In Yemen, A Deadly Concoction of Arms Sales, Conflict and Covid-19 The Interpreter 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2020, 06 09). Responding to COVID-19 in North-East Syria: why the UN security council must re-authorise cross-border assistance from Iraq Humanitarian Practice Network 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2020, 05 19). Reassessing the Role of the UN Security Council Australian Outlook 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2020, 03 03). Syria: What the UN Can, and Must, Do The Interpreter 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2020, 02 24). Is Security Council Authorisation Really Necessary to Allow Cross-Border Humanitarian Assistance in Syria?’ EJIL:Talk! 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 12 12). The case against Myanmar and Australia The Sydney Morning Herald 23-23.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 12 12). Australia must act on the Rohingya genocide The Age 23-23.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 11 08). Holding Myanmar to Account for its Treatment of the Rohingya ASPI Strategist 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 10 28). The Worrying Precedent of Turkey’s “Safe Zone” The Interpreter 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca and Briggs, Caelin (2019, 10 25). Proposed Refugee Resettlement into Syrian “Safe Zones” Carries Significant Risks DevPolicy 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 10 16). Trump shows Turkey that rules don't matter The Age 20-20.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 10 16). Turkey should play by the rules, even though Trump doesn't The Sydney Morning Herald 25-25.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 08 13). Laws of war more vital than ever The Age 21-21.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 08 12). Seventy years on, the Geneva Conventions are more relevant than ever Sydney Morning Herald
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 06 26). The ASEAN Summit and the disregard of Rohingya refugees Australian Outlook 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 06 24). Retaliatory air strike would have been illegal The Age 26-26.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 06 23). Trump's Iran strike would have been illegal as well as disproportionate Sydney Morning Herald 32-32.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 04 29). The chance for Australia to urge ASEAN to act on the Rohingya crisis The Interpreter 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 04 29). What is research in humanitarian crises and do ethical research principles apply Evidence Aid 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2019, 03 06). Violence in Myanmar: Look elsewhere than Security Council The Interpreter 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca and Briggs, Caelin (2019, 01 16). An Australian checklist for conflict-related crises DevPolicy 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2018, 12 14). Payne silent on human rights following visit to Myanmar Australian Outlook 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2018, 08 31). Will the Security Council act on Myanmar, and what if they don’t? Online Opinion 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2017, 12 11). Australia was central to a high point in human rights, so why Manus Island? Women's Agenda 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2016, 06 21). Blanket approaches in humanitarian response: Reflections from the 2015 Nepal earthquake Middle East Asia Project 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2015, 08 19). Humanitarian aid in 2015: Great challenges but greater opportunities DevPolicy 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2015, 06 24). Vanuatu and world disaster protection agreements Pacific Scoop 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2015, 03 10). The Boxing Day Tsunami, ten years on Australian Outlook 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2013, 04 24). Syria carnage will continue if the world merely watches Sydney Morning Herald 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2013, 04 10). Scandalous plight of children in conflict zones The Australian 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2013, 03 05). More must be done for Syria’s suffering millions The Sydney Morning Herald 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2012, 12 24). Government should not divert foreign aid Online Opinion 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2012, 12 04). Winter looms as a killer in camps The Australian 8-8.
Barber, Rebecca (2012, 10 24). The upside of aid to Afghanistan The Australian 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2012, 10 17). Somalia needs help now Online Opinion 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2012, 07 26). When Africans no longer need aid, our job is done The Australian 8-8.
Barber, Rebecca (2012, 07 07). African aid cannot wane The Adelaide Advertiser 68-68.
Barber, Rebecca (2012, 06 22). Save the Children: Partnership for Resilience Online Opinion 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2012, 05 29). Meeting of like minds can save the hungry millions in Sahel The Sydney Morning Herald 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2012, 04 09). Decisive action is needed to avoid another famine crisis The Sydney Morning Herald 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2012, 02 14). Afghan civilians carry the burden The Canberra Times 13-13.
Barber, Rebecca (2012, 01 18). We should have the skills and expertise to prevent a re-run of the crisis in the Horn of Africa The Adelaide Advertiser 18-18.
Barber, Rebecca (2011, 05 19). The UK and its partners must commit to Afghanistan The New Statesman 1-1.
Barber, Rebecca (2010, 08 26). The human cost of Pakistan's Floods The Sydney Morning Herald 1-1.
Seminar Papers
Barber, Rebecca (2022). Atrocity crimes in international and national law. Asia Pacific Partnership for Atrocity Prevention / Working Group on Gender and Atrocity Prevention, Ateneo de Manila University / University of Queensland.
Barber, Rebecca (2022). Cooperating through the General Assembly to end Serious Breaches of Peremptory Norms. Istanbul Centre for International Law, International Law Formation Program II – Lecture Series. Istanbul Centre of International Law.
Barber, Rebecca (2022). The role of the General Assembly in determining the legitimacy of governments. University of Queensland, Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect / Myanmar Accountability Project.
Barber, Rebecca (2022). Responding to Atrocity Crimes: The Role of the United Nations General Assembly . Asia Pacific Partnership for Atrocities Prevention Online Atrocities Prevention Training 2022. Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia.
Barber, Rebecca (2022). Atrocity crimes: options for accountability and enforcement. Regional Capacity Building Training for Human Rights Defenders on Atrocity Prevention and Protection Strategies. UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (Pacific Regional Office) and Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect.
Barber, Rebecca (2022). Legal foundations for state obligations to respond to atrocity crimes. Centre for International Peace and Stability, National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan.
Barber, Rebecca (2022). The Recognition of Governments: The Role of International Organisations. Columbia Law School, Columbia University.
Barber, Rebecca (2021). Who is the Government of Afghanistan? Recognition, Representation and the Role of the General Assembly. International Law Reading Group. Faculty of Law and Justice, University of New South Wales.
Research Reports
Barber, Rebecca , Bourdon, William , Dugard, John , Garzon, Baltasar , Genser, Jared , Justice Goldstone, Richard J. , Neier, Aryeh , Dr. Petcharamesree, Sriprapha , Sidoti, Chris , Udagama, Nelum Deepika and Wahyuningrum, Yuyun (2021). Legal opinion: United Nations Credentials Committee: Representation of the State of Myanmar to the United Nations. online: Myanmar Accountability Project.
Barber, Rebecca (2021). The Powers of the UN General Assembly to Prevent and Respond to Atrocity Crimes. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect.
Barber, Rebecca (2019). Preventing and responding to conflict-related humanitarian crises: an Australian checklist for action. Melbourne, Australia: World Vision Australia.
Barber, Rebecca (2016). Did the humanitarian response to the Nepal earthquake ensure no one was left behind? A case study on the experience of marginalised groups in humanitarian action. Melbourne, Australia: Save the Children.
Barber, Rebecca (2015). One size doesn’t fit all: tailoring the international response to the national need following Vanuatu’s Cyclone Pam. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: CARE International; Oxfam International; Save the Children; World Vision International;.
Barber, Rebecca (2014). No child left behind: education in crisis in the Asia Pacific region. Melbourne, Australia: Save the Children.
Barber, Rebecca (2013). Localising the Humanitarian Toolkit: Lessons from Recent Philippines Disasters. Melbourne, VIC Australia: Save the Children.
Barber, Rebecca (2012). Access restricted: a review of remote monitoring practices in Uruzgan Province. Melbourne, Australia: Save the Children.
Barber, Rebecca (2012). Responding to emergencies in Southeast Asia: can we do better?. Melbourne, Australia: Save the Children.
Barber, Rebecca (2011). Getting it right from the start: priorities for action in the new Republic of South Sudan. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxfam.
Rebecca Barber (2011). No time to lose: promoting the accountability of the Afghan National Security Forces. Oxford, University: Oxfam.