Armed conflicts are claiming more and more civilian victims. Therefore, the Security Council has tasked several peacekeeping operations with sheltering civilians from violence.
In the mid-1990s, peacekeepers found themselves deployed in internal conflicts where civilians were frequently targeted in attacks. Missions like MINUAR in Rwanda and FORPRONU in the former Yugoslavia faced systematic attacks against civilians that the peacekeepers were not prepared to confront. These conflicts, as well as those in Somalia, Sierra Leone, and East Timor, saw armed groups targeting civilians, including through the use of sexual violence as a war tactic and severe violations of child rights.
The Security Council thus included civilian protection in its agenda and developed a framework of solutions to enhance the role of peacekeepers in protection. Mandates and rules of engagement were defined so that peacekeepers had the authority to act. The Council also adopted resolutions aimed at establishing frameworks to address children in armed conflicts and conflict-related sexual violence.
It is always the responsibility of states to protect their own populations first. The primary role of peacekeepers is to assist governments in fulfilling their protection responsibilities through advice, technical and logistical support, and capacity building. Peacekeeping missions also seek to adopt a preventive approach to civilian protection through political good offices and mediation. However, many peacekeepers are authorized, as a last resort, to act to physically protect civilians.
Over 95% of peacekeepers are currently tasked with protecting civilians
This includes child protection and protection against conflict-related sexual violence. The vast majority of peacekeepers now serve in missions where mandates prioritize civilian protection. The High-Level Group studying peace operations found that civilian protection is a fundamental obligation of the entire United Nations system, not just peacekeeping. These activities find their most visible expression in the work of peacekeepers. The challenges of the mandate often relate to how the international community, and those we are trying to protect, assess our value as peacekeepers.
How do we protect those affected by conflict?
Today, peacekeeping has a number of tools to support civilian protection:
- Political leaders engage with governments and other actors to reduce and prevent conflict;
- Civilian experts, including child protection advisers, women protection advisers, and civilian protection advisers, conduct activities to demobilize child soldiers, persuade armed groups to refrain from sexual violence, and coordinate military operations to protect civilians;
- Our soldiers and police officers provide unique skills for security and stability;
- Experts in rule of law and fundamental rights further ensure the creation of a protective environment.
A challenging mandate
As expected of an organization serving as a last resort in times of conflict and crisis, peacekeepers face challenges and constraints, especially in civilian protection. Even the largest peacekeeping missions deploy relatively few personnel compared to the size of the territory and population. MONUSCO, for example, deploys over 17,000 soldiers in a country of over 82 million people spread across more than 2.3 million square kilometers (equivalent to one soldier for every 4,800 people and 135 square kilometers). This is compounded by the fact that many countries where peacekeepers are deployed experience instability, often with poor infrastructure and limited local security services. Addressing these challenges in peacekeeping missions requires careful planning and strategy to protect as many people as possible. It is also important to ensure that the host government, population, and international community understand the importance of peacekeepers, as well as their inherent limitations.
We must not forget that our peacekeepers – civilians, police, men and women, soldiers – save lives every day. They protect civilians and assist in peace processes… It is important to recognize the added value of peacekeeping and what we bring to destabilized societies and nations.
25 years of civilian protection
Over the past 25 years, civilian protection mandates have become a cornerstone of UN peacekeeping operations, shaping how missions prevent and respond to violence against civilians. To commemorate this 25-year journey, we are sharing a collection of personal stories and reflections illustrating frontline efforts in terms of civilian protection. This series of Profiles in Civilian Protection traces the evolution of the mandate from its creation in 1999 to the present day. From field operations in conflict-affected areas to strategic decision-making at the United Nations Security Council, the stories illustrate the breadth of contributions from those advancing the civilian protection mandate, sharing their perspectives, and honoring their commitment to protecting civilians and promoting peace in some of the world’s most difficult conflicts.
The twenty-three protection profiles can be read in this special booklet.
