An inspiring new series from the Department of Peace Operations features the life-saving work of UN peacekeepers in protecting civilians from conflict and violence.
The series launches today during Protection of Civilians Week in New York.
Since 1999, sixteen UN peacekeeping operations have been explicitly mandated by the Security Council to protect civilians from the threat of physical violence.
Today, five UN missions – MINUSCA in the Central African Republic, MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UNIFIL in Lebanon, UNISFA in the Abyei region, and UNMISS in South Sudan – have such protection of civilians mandates. Together, these missions account for more than 95 per cent of all UN personnel deployed around the world.
The “Profiles in Protection” series tells the remarkable stories of civilian, military, and police personnel who have used their roles in peacekeeping missions to save many lives.
Their stories reveal the importance – and impact – of the UN’s comprehensive protection efforts through dialogue and mediation, respect for human rights, community engagement, and, when necessary and where mandated, using force to physically protect people under threat.
They also show that civilian, military, and police personnel all have a role in protection.
“This series demonstrates that what is often called the ‘impossible mandate’ is, in fact, possible, thanks to the determination and courage of UN peacekeepers deployed around the world,” said Regina Fitzpatrick, Protection of Civilians Team Leader within the Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training of the Department of Peace Operations.
“It adds a human element to the robust evidence that peacekeeping works at reducing conflict and protecting people from harm.”
If you know of other stories that show the impact of peacekeepers in protecting civilians, please contact the Protection of Civilians Team at pbps-poc-unhq@un.org.
