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Protection ofivilians
Joel Arken
Jill Boyd
Bacho Giorgadze
Sharif Hassanein
Ka`ili Jackson
Mohamed Ka
Jonathan Leonard
Christie Saint-vil
Kiah Shapiro
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Table of Contents
Glossary of Terms
Acronyms
Executive Summary
1. History of the Conflict/Background of the Issues 6
2. Concept Map 8
3. Stakeholder Analysis 11
3.1 Primary Stakeholders 11
3.2 Visual Representation Stakeholder Analysis 12
4. DPKO Needs Assessment 13
4.1 Introduction 13
4.2 Assessment 13
4.3 Measuring and Indicators 14
5. Present a Logical Framework 15
6. Indicators of Success & Baseline Indicators 16
7. The Role of International Institutions 17
8. The Capacity & Decision Making Role of the Affected Communities 19
8.1 Syrian Refugee Graph 21
9. Major Challenges to Sustained Personnel Cooperation 22
10. Possible Collaborations 24
10.1 Oxfam Potential Partnership Index 26
11. Campaign Strategies 27
12. Major Accomplishments & Goals Achieved 28
13. Policy Recommendations to Ensure the Protection of Civilians 29
14. Our teams Proposal 3
Bibliography
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Glossary of Terms
Beneficiary: is a person for whom the project is being undertaken. A beneficiary can include a
customer, user, or project sponsor (donor organization).1
Capacity Building: is enabling people, organizations, and societies to develop, strengthen, andexpand their abilities to meet their goals or fulfill their mandates. Capacity is strengthened
through the transfer of knowledge and skills that enhance individual and collective abilities to
deliver services and carry out programs that address challenges in a sustainable way. It is a long-
term and continuous process that focuses on developing human resources, organizational
strength, and legal structures, and it involves all stakeholders including civil society.2
Logical Framework: is a table or matrix that summarizes key elements of a project strategy and
the logic that connects them. A logical framework includes a set of goals, objectives and
activities designed to achieve a project.3
Non-state Actor: also known as non-official actor, is a large category of actors of non-
governmental organizations, multinational corporations, insurgents, criminal organizations,
religious groups, trade unions, universities, and diaspora communities. Most types of non-state
actors are considered part of civil society.4
Needs Assessment: is a process of identifying organizations capacity, including both strengths
and potential problems, in order to determine and plan what areas to focus on to improve the
effectiveness of the organization.5
Protection of Civilians (PoC): refers to efforts made by any actor to reduce the vulnerability of
women, men, and children caught in conflict to violence, coercion, and deprivation of aid.6
Stakeholder: is an individual or institution who has an interest and influence in the output of a
project. There can be multiple stakeholders in a given project. Stakeholders include members of
a community, employees, government representatives, corporations,international organizations,
investors, etc.7
1Adapted from lecture notes. Session 6, October 4, 2013, Mona Shomali.
2(Snodderly 2011)3Adapted from lecture notes. Session 6, October 4, 2013, Mona Shomali.4(Snodderly 2011)5Adapted from lecture notes. Session 6, October 4, 2013, Mona Shomali.6(Oxfam 2011)
7Adapted from lecture notes. Session 6, October 4, 2013, Mona Shomali.
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Acronyms
ATT Arms Trade Treaty
CBO Community-Based Organization
DPKO Department for Peacekeeping Operations
FPO Formed Police Units
ICR International Committee of the Red Cross
IDP Internally Displaced Person
OCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
PoC Protection of Civilians
PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights
UNAMID United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNPOL United Nations PoliceUNMIS United Nations Mission in Sudan
UNSC United Nations Security Council
UNSG United Nations Secretary-General
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Executive Summary
BackgroundDuring times of armed conflict and war innocent bystanders are caught in violence, losing either
their basic human rights or their life itself. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) andorganizations like Oxfam, effectively respond to the interests and needs of targeted civilians
through the mandate known as Protection of Civilians (PoC). Despite the emphasis on civilianprotection, advanced by the international community, coordination in the delivery of protection
lacks strategy. This creates a nebulous state of confusion and ineffectiveness. With responseoften uneven and inconsistent, Oxfam strives to improve the rhetoric associated with PoC in
order to effectively and properly protect civilians in armed conflicts. If the violence imposedupon citizens is not mitigated, instability and lawlessness will continue to run rampant.
StakeholdersWhen building a framework for PoC, stakeholders must be identified in order to effectivelyaddress all relevant actors. Key stakeholders in PoC are:
! Civilians in conflict areas have the highest stake in their own protection, but lowinfluence,
! Non-state actors (party to conflict) have a moderate stake and often have a negativeinfluence on PoC.
! States (party to conflict) have a high stake and mixed influence on PoC.! The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has a low to moderate stake but high
influence on PoC policy and action. The UNSC has great power in creating agendas andmandates to intervene in conflicts.
! The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) has a moderate
stake and moderate influence, relative to other stakeholders. The DPKO followsmandates given by the UNSC.
! Oxfam Internationalis the beneficiary of this project. Oxfam has a low stake in PoC andmoderate influence. PoC advocacy is only one of many projects undertaken by Oxfam.
Case Study: DPKOUN peacekeeping operations (PKOs) require the coordination and action of three distinctpersonnel agencies: the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), Formed Police Units
(FPU), and local police forces. Cohesion between these forces remains fragmented andunspecified due to current UN Security Council (UNSC) mandates that clearly define DPKO
parameters, yet leave those for FPUs and local forces obscured.
Strategies: ATTOne of Oxfams greatest advocacy achievements has been its support for the creation of theArms Trade Treaty (ATT). Oxfam believes that the uncontrolled spread of arms fuels conflict,
undermines development, and contributes to countless violations of human rights andinternational humanitarian law. In the great majority of cases, arms are the tools that inflict
violence, coercion and deprivation on civilians in conflict.
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Looking to the FutureAssessing the feasibility of collaboration with partner organizations, our practicum team willprovide a thorough policy analysis of various peacekeeping activities run by DPKO and
mandated by the UNSC. We will identify practices outside of the operational mandate for eachmission and analyze for systemic inconsistencies and patterns. The anticipated result is a set of
recommendations which will allow for the consistent and systematic invocation of PoC in UNSCmandates addressing civilian issues in conflict zones.
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1. History of the Conflict
Blurring the line between civilians and soldiers (active combat participants) the twenty wars and
conflicts around the world today have created an environment of pure havoc, turmoil, and
instability. A tactical move, the lack of distinction between civilian and soldier is used as a
method to deliberately target civilian populations as a means of political gain. Without the
capacity to defend themselves, civilians garner the least power, are the most vulnerable, and have
the highest number of casualties. Women and children in particular suffer disproportionately
during conflicts.8In addition, young girls and children are subjected to rape and other forms of
sexual violence. More than six million civilians have been maimed or permanently disabled and
thousands are internally displaced.9 Forcibly coerced into prostitution, slavery, and compulsory
labor, thousands of civilians are abducted from their homes. Many young men and boys are
ruthlessly exploited as soldiers. Armed actors deliberately deprive civilians of basic services
such as healthcare, education, jobs, and access to emergency relief aid. Ultimately, civilians are
deprived of their inalienable and basic human rights.10
If the legitimacy of a state is dependent on its capacity to monopolize the physical use of
violence, then the protection of civilians from armed conflict should be a top priority. However,
the state often does not have the capacity to do so or may even view civilians as enemies of the
state. In this event, the responsibility to protect civilians transfers to the international
community. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and organizations like Oxfam
effectively respond to the interests and needs of targeted civilians. In 1999, it was explicitly
mandated by the UNSC that UN peacekeeping missions must protect civilians where the threat
of violence is imminent.11
Oxfam defines the Protection of Civilians (PoC) as the action to
improve the safety of civilians exposed to widespread threats of violence, coercion, or deliberatedeprivation.
12By narrowing the focus to intervention for the sake of civilians, PoC
differentiates itself from Responsibility to Protect (R2P). Oxfams goal is to fully comprehend
the term PoC, the language associated with it, and to effectively reduce the level of threat and
vulnerability.
PoC is essential because it is a crucial condition for sustainable political peace and may
legitimize military intervention.13
It is extremely important that efforts are made in order to deter
attacks on civilians. Despite the strong emphasis advanced by the international community to
protect the innocent, coordination to deliver protection lacks strategy creating a nebulous state of
confusion and ineffectiveness. With response often uneven and inconsistent (i.e Somalia, DRC,
8(Oxfam 2011)
9ibid
10(Oxfam n.d.)
11(United Nations 2008)
12(Oxfam n.d.)
13(Holt, Taylor and Kelly 2009) p3
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Afghanistan) Oxfam strives to improve the rhetoric associated with PoC in order to effectively
and properly protect civilians in armed situations. If these attacks are not mitigated, instability
and lawlessness will continue to run rampant. Civilians will continue to be targeted while being
subjected to direct and indirect effects of armed conflict. Increasing the potential for conflict to
spill beyond state borders international peace and security will immediately be threatened.
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Source: Original work, adapted from Cairns 2008 - Kiah Shapiro
2. Concept Map
Two reports published by Oxfam in the past few years have attempted to outline the violation ofcivilians rights in violent conflict. The above infographic illuminates the main issues examined
by Oxfam, which lead to the violation of these rights. Conflict is caused by security issues which
severely and disproportionately affect civilians, particularly women and children. Conflict host
states and the international community have been unable to directly address civilian vulnerability
in armed conflict. The failure of host states and the international community to ameliorate five
key concerns (shown at the top of the infographic) further exacerbates civilian insecurity. Oxfam
recommends that host states and the international community strengthen their engagement with
these issues in order to ensure the protection of civilians living in areas of armed conflict.
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3. Stakeholder Analysis
3.1 Primary Stakeholders:Civilians in conflict areas have the highest stake in their own protection, but low influence.
Civilians continue to account for the vast majority of casualties in situations of armed
conflict14according to the UNSC. Civilians is a broad label and includes important subgroupswith varying mobility and impact: women, child soldiers, and aid workers.
Non-state actors (party to conflict)have a moderate stake and generally negative influence on
PoC. Non-state actors party to conflict have targeted civilians in military campaigns, and
committed sexual violence, enlisted child soldiers and killed aid workers.15
States (party to conflict) have a high stake and mixed influence on PoC. In 2005, it was
mandated that states had a responsibility to protect its populations from genocide, war crimes,
ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.16[3] Some states lack institutions to ensure PoC
and in some conflicts, state actors target civilians in the same forms as non-state actors.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC)has a low to moderate stake but high influence on
PoC policy and action. UNSC has a great power in creating agendas and mandates to intervene
in conflicts, but UNSC states are shielded from direct political consequences of their
decisions.17
[4] Since the Statement by the President of the Security Council in 1999, PoC has
been addressed by UNSC as a important issue.18
[5]
United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO)has a moderate stake and
moderate influence, relative to the other stakeholders. DPKO follows the mandates given by the
UNSC, but have operational freedom in program implementation.. DPKO perceives PoC
advocacy to be about managing expectations and prefers clear operational mandates. 19[6]
Oxfam International is the beneficiary of this project. Oxfam has a low stake in PoC and
moderate influence. PoC advocacy is only one of many projects undertaken by Oxfam.
14(UN Security Council 2010)
15(Oxfam 2011)
16(UN General Assembly 2005)
17(Oxfam 2011)
18(UN Security Council 1999)19Holt, Taylor and Kelly 2009) p12
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3.2 Visual Representation Stakeholder Analysis
Source: Original work, adapted from Cairns 2008 - Joel Arken, Kiah Shapiro
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4. DKPO Needs Assessment:
4.1 Introduction
UN peacekeeping operations (PKOs) require the coordination and action of three distinct
personnel agencies: the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), Formed Police Units
(FPU), and local police forces. Cohesion between these forces remains fragmented and
unspecified due to current UN Security Council (UNSC) mandates that clearly define DPKO
parameters, yet leave those for FPUs and local forces obscured. This general confusion regarding
identified roles between the latter two groups results in limited functionality for both,
compromising the overall responsibility to protect civilians in conflict and post-conflict
situations. Defining these expectations and responsibilities is the first step in establishing
institutional mechanisms for a long-term security environment that strengthens host state
capacity through training and monitoring of local law enforcement personnel. But what is the
role of the police and how can its effectiveness be properly measured?
4.2 Assessment
Despite the discrepancy in mandate and practice, traditional FPU functions under executive and
non-executive mandates include: UN personnel and facility protection, local law enforcement
agency security support, and capacity building assistance. Deployment trends show that FPUs
typically engage in crowd control capacities, but can be effectively integrated and utilized under
a specific PoC mandate in greater efforts to maintain civilian security.
Research has identified that a specific mandate for local police is missing and forces are left to
operate in a vague capacity in the deployment and removal of DPKO and FPUs. Building local
police capacity is essential for sustainable civilian protection that will consist of two phases:design and implementation. The following actors and practices should be integrated into training
programs for a comprehensive, reflexive, and relevant approach that is best for stakeholders and
beneficiaries.
Actors involved must include local police forces to determine what is needed: what resources,
funding, training topics, and accountability mechanisms will be required to measure a successful
program? How will topics of sensitivity training and confidence building be addressed? What
missing links and best practices can DPKO advise that have contributed to success in the past?
Due to the unique and particular aspects of states, regions, and cultures, training programs mustbe designed according to these features to determine what will be the most effective for each
local context. Engagement with key groups is essential to implementing a program that fits the
local circumstances in which it aims to protect, including community elders, women, businesses
and religious leaders.
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4.3 Measuring and Indicators
Indicators to assess local capacity building baselines and progress will be the first step in
program design in attempts to bolster civilian protection. These include:
Source: Original work, adapted from Holt, pg 121-128 - Jill Boyd
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5. Present a Logical Framework
Source: Original work - Sharif Hassanein
Indicator 1 Activity 1 and 2: Local police capacity building and sensitivity training is based on
several examples of trying to repair local security capacity after armed conflict. Both UNMIS
and UNAMID emphasized a civilian police component focusing on advising, training,monitoring and joint patrolling with local police.
20Although, there was no direct mandate for
protection of civilians by UNPOL or FPU in either UNMIS or UNAMID, the fact that they were
patrolling IDP camps acted as a deterrent on would be attackers.21
Indicator 2 Activity 3: Joint DPKO, FPU, UNPOL, and local community based police unit
patrols, derived from the UNAMID experience. The Darfur mission gave UN police, especially
the Formed Police Units, more of an expanded role and was used to patrol IDP camps and help
relieve DPKO troops from being overstretched in attempt to confront spoilers.22
20(Holt, Taylor and Kelly 2009) p323, 345
21ibid p35222ibid p345-6
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6. Indicators of Success & Baseline Indicators
After planning of a project design, the success of the project is measured and reported against a
set of indicators. The formulation of indicators are part of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
of a project cycle.23
Thus, the significance of using indicators is to monitor and evaluate the
project. The indicators can be quantitative in measuring a progress of project in numerical value
and qualitative in measuring perceptions, opinions, attitudes, satisfactions, etc.
The following selection is a compilation of possible quantitative indicators to measure the
progress for the PoC framework. The extent to which the project will be assessed is still to be
determined therefore some of the indicators are based on Oxfams previous projects, while others
are modifications generated from a sample pool used by international development organizations
for the protection of civilians.24
Divided into two categories, small-scale and large-scale. The former monitors immediate or
short-term changes, while the latter looks at long-term comprehensive changes within the project.Using the method SMART (Specific, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, and Time-bound):
the indicators are specific because they are measuring explicit objectives while avoiding
differing interpretations; measurable in monitoring and evaluating progress; appropriate in
addressing a specific problem, goal, and strategy; realistic because they are achievable and
attainable; and time-bound because the measurable outcomes have a specific time-frame for
achieving the objective.
Small scale:
! Deployment of 20 day and 20 night patrol personnel in and around the refugee camps for
a 6-month period.! Increase the presence of state police and army personnel on the ground by 5 per cent in
conflict zone within 6 months.
! Establish 5 emergency help centers within a radius of 5000 feet from the conflict zone.
Large scale:
! Decrease in the number of incidents of unlawful use of force against civilian population,
including children and women, by 5 per cent over the 6-month period.
! Reduce in the number of incidents of weapon-related injuries against civilian population
for the duration of 12 months.
! Decrease in the reported civilian casualties by 15 per cent over the 12-month period.
23Adapted from lecture notes. Session 7, October 16, 2013, Mona Shomali.24(International Committee of the Red Cross 2012)
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7. The Role of International Institutions
Nascent beginnings in the Geneva conventions of 1949, the PoC is widely acknowledged by the
international community as still in need of improvement. PoC involved international institutions
influence donor countries such as the United States, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom to
participate. Along with Oxfam, the following international organizations are instrumental in
improving the PoC mandate:
! United Nations Security Council- The purpose of the UNSC is to maintain international
peace and security. As the most influential body involved, the UNSC has taken a leading
role within the efforts of the PoC to monitor conflicts while immediately responding to
any threats posed to civilians. Authorizing missions pushed forth by regional and
international bodies, the UNSC must ask all actors to minimize civilian harm and refrain
from excessive force in hostilities.25
Additionally the UNSC works in collaboration
with the International Criminal Court to bring justice against those whove committedcrimes against humanity.
! Department of Peacekeeping Operations- The DPKO defines and implements
protection mandates through peacekeeping operations. DPKO along with the Department
for Field Support (DFS) created an Operational Concept on the Protection of Civilians in
the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. This concept promotes a three tiered
approach which aims to establish protective and safe environments, protection through
political process, and protection from physical violence.26
! United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees- The UNHCR serves to protectcivilians by creating safe havens for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Providing perimeter security, physical protection, and protection against human rights
abuses. The UNHCR also helps refugees find appropriate and durable solutions for
returning to their homeland, integration, or resettlement.27
! United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs- Responsible for chemical weapons
reduction they also strengthen the prohibition against biological weapons. Focusing on
the destabilization of small arms, light weapons, and landmines, the hope is to break the
cycle of weapons used to kill and maim civilians.28
! International Committee of the Red Cross- The ICRCs role in PoC not only focuses
on the delivery of humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected states, but also ensures that
25(Oxfam 2012)
26ibid p2
27(The United Nations High Commisssioner for Refugees n.d.)
28(United Nations 2008) p. 131
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local and national authorities fulfill their obligations to protect all categories of innocent
civilians.29
The ICRC is responsible for conducting comprehensive studies aimed to
strengthen the relationship between International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and PoC. The
United Nations, states, as well as international and national tribunals have used these
studies as a legal reference.30
! The NGO sector- The NGO community is made up of a wide variety of actors that
collectively have a strong impact on PoC. Humanitarian NGOs play an important role in
relation to PoC by providing emergency relief to civilians while ensuring that civilians
have equal access to health care, drinking water, and shelter.
Additionally, many UN bodies have participated in conferences pertaining to the Protection of
Civilians in armed conflict including: the ICRC led UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty in
Bern and the upcoming conference on the Syrian [conflict] Peace Talks addressing the PoC in
January 2014.
29(International Committee of the Red Cross n.d.)
30ibid
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8. The Capacity & Decision Making Role of the Affected Communities
Oxfams operational presence within a PoC context suggests that its beneficiaries have a
substantial deficit of capacity and decision making. If the affected community had a robust
capacity for decision-making, Oxfam would likely not be working to address their needs.
Generally, those who Oxfam seeks to address are those with extremely few options, and very
little control over their own well being. As an example of a vulnerable population we take a
closer look at the Syrian Civil War, and examine which people Oxfam decided to assist, and how.
In Oxfams mission statement, it divides its activities into 6 major sectors; the sector which the
Syrian Civil War falls under is that of disaster relief. In its description, Oxfam describes these
activities:
We help people caught up in natural disasters and conflict. We typically provide clean water,
food and sanitation in disaster zones. As far as we can, we strive to ensure that civilians areprotected too
31.
In this situation Oxfam has chosen its major beneficiaries as: Syrian refugees who have crossed
international borders, via land, in order to escape fighting. It also acknowledges the needs of
millions internally displaced people, and laments its inability to directly assist them.32
Lack of
refugee capacity for choices which better their livelihood continue to raise issues, even after
refugees have been settled into camps. This affected communitys low level of capacity raises a
number of concerns:
" Childrens PTSD and psychological trauma33
" Sexual Assault/Rape of women34
" Winterization of Camps to prepare for harsh conditions
" Proper Water and Sanitation Facilities35
" Sectarian Infighting36
According to the UNHCR Information sharing portal, Oxfam onlyprovides aid to Syrianrefugees in the form of: Water & Sanitation.
37 Although the need for water and sanitary
facilities are very important and shouldnt be downplayed, its unconvincing that these activities
fall under the category of PoC. By Oxfams own definition, the Protection of Civilians
principle refers to the protection of civilians from widespread threats of violence, coercion, and
31(Oxfam International n.d.)
32(Rodrigues 2013)
33(UN Women Inter-Agency Assessment 2013)
34(Joint Research Report: Oxfam International & Abaad-Resource Center for Gender Equality 2013)
35(UNICEF 2013)
36(Brown 2013)
37(UNHCR n.d.)
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the deliberate deprivation of aid.38
Water and sanitation seems more likely to be categorized as
provision for displaced civilians rather than protection of civilians. Oxfam should review
the various definitions used for PoC, and should be more cautious when asserting that they are
participating in PoC efforts because such claims may be inaccurate.
For reference to widely used definitions of PoC please see: ICRCs Strengthening Protection in
War & Professional Standards for Protection Work, ALNAPs Guide to Protection, and
SPHEREs protection chapter.39
38(Oxfam International n.d.)
39(UNHCR n.d.)
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8.1 Syrian Refugee Graph
Source: Original work - Jonathan Leonard. Data from UNHCR. Syria Refugee Response Inter-Agency
Information Sharing Portal. Accessed December 8th. http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php& Mercy
Corps. Quick Facts: What you need to know about the Syrian refugee crisis. October 17th 2013.
http://www.mercycorps.org/articles/iraq-jordan-lebanon-syria/quick-facts-what-you-need-know-about-syrian-
refugee-crisis
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9. Major Challenges to Sustained Personnel Cooperation
Research has determined the most significant challenge that limits effective and integrated
protection of civilians in crises results from the lack of a clear chain of planning, definitions, and
responsibilities.40
The PoC mission building process requires the careful coordination between
military, humanitarian, I/NGOs, and host state governments for action that has clear guidance,
material, support, and able leadership.41
The root of this conceptual confusion stems from
Security Council prioritization of when to, or when not to, act in situations that require PoC
activities for populations under imminent threat. UNSCs selective and inconsistent approach
carries significant weight in influencing international action to protect populations from
violence; their decisions on which crises to give formal attention and resources to determine a
host of additional challenges that this section will further explore.42
One major obstacle this presents is the failure to link the strategic objectives identified in a
UNSC mandate to implementation in the field, due to the absence of how civilian components,namely FPUs and local police units, conceive of their role in a PoC framework.43Until mandates
for all forces, including DPKO, FPU, and local police, are clarified in UNSC authorizations,
there will be a perpetual fragmentation that hinders sustained and effective security for civilians.
Criteria that must be taken into consideration for this include whether UNSC resolutions are
executive or non-executive, and host country capacity, force structure, and government
cooperation.44
FPUs have been identified as a force that may take on an expanded role in PoC activities;
however, a consensus on their responsibilities is yet to be defined. Will FPUs remain under
DPKO policy of crowd control, capacity-building, and UN personnel and facility protection? Orwill they undertake greater risk tasks in PoC activities since they often have better equipment,
training, cohesiveness, and ability to use force (in theory) than local police officers? An
expanded role might weaken host country units from gaining autonomy and strength after their
removal, threatening a long-term security solution. Yet remaining in a DPKO framework limits
their actions during moments of critical response.
Moving beyond the challenge of conceptual confusion that underlies civilian protection by police
units, implementing a program for long-term security faces various obstacles. As it stands, the
UN Police Division determines the role of police in potential missions but faces limited staffing
and planning resources to operate at its desired level. All levels and aspects of police units, from
UN personnel to local units, must be consistently and specifically addressed. Furthermore, a
40(Holt, Taylor and Kelly 2009) p121
41ibid p122
42(Cairns 2008) p15
43(Holt, Taylor and Kelly 2009) p122
44ibid p122
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10. Possible Collaborations
Oxfam believes in the collective efforts of many actors working in collaboration, and refers to
this concept as a global movement for change. The organization clearly outlines the six basic
tenets of partnership in its partnership principles literature.46
1. Shared Vision and Values - Partnerships between Oxfam and other organizations are
built on a shared vision of a fair world, free of poverty and injustice, which implies
solidarity beyond the implementation of specific programs and activities.
2. Complementarity of Purpose and Value Added- Oxfam works in partnership with a
variety of actors in a diverse set of relationships. Across the partnership continuum, the
emphasis will be placed on identifying the common goal to which we are working,
whether in long- or short-term relationships, looking to build on the distinctive
contribution of all actors, and ensuring that our combined efforts bring about change.
3. Autonomy and Independence - Our partnerships will strive for mutual respect for
institutional integrity and autonomy. We are aware that, in many of our partnerships,
particularly in funding relationships, power imbalances exist that may undermine the
principle of autonomy and independence. Oxfam will work to manage this tension
through our partnering processes and accountability systems.
4. Transparency and Mutual Accountability - Oxfam and partners have multiple
accountabilities to a variety of stakeholders, including supporters and donors, and most
importantly to those women and men living in poverty who are engaged in andbenefitting from our programs. As part of the process of developing partnerships, we
explicitly discuss how Oxfam is accountable to partners, and how we and our partners are
accountable to the people and communities with and for whom we work.
5. Clarity on Roles and Responsibilities - Partnerships are built on clear understanding
and robust partnership agreements. For funding partnerships, all the elements of the
partnering process and decision making are discussed and agreed by partners. Oxfam
understands that the credibility and trust required to sustain healthy partnerships comes
from good communication, competence and reliability.
6. Commitment to Joint Learning - Oxfam, as a learning organization, promotes
continuous and systematic learning. In partnerships, this requires upfront agreement on
how Oxfam and partners can learn from their joint work, and from each other, with the
46(Oxfam International 2012) p1- 4
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aim of incorporating learning, communications and knowledge-sharing into the
relationship.
As a toolbuilding exercise, the team came up with an indexing chart for assessing the feasibility
of collaboration with partner organizations. It creates a quantifies their desirability from
Oxfams perspective by grading each potential partner based on how well they fit Oxfams six
principles of partnership; each principal being individually examined and scored. The scores for
each principal are then summed up in an aggregate figure. This figure can serve as a reference
point for forging future partnerships, as well as assessing the usefulness of existing ones.
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10.1 Oxfam Potential Partnership Index
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11. Campaign Strategies
Oxfam seeks to advance a Protection of Civilians (PoC) framework by publishing a range of
deliverables, including media (press releases, photography, video footage), research reports and
case studies. These are employed in order to increase public awareness of the plight of civilians
in conflict and are used to make policy recommendations to international legal decision-making
bodies.
Media directed towards citizens throughout the world are meant to inform the public about
ongoing human suffering. To a lesser extent, these citizens might contact their local legislators to
ask for action to be taken in the appropriate international arenas.
Case studies and reports support Oxfams advocacy at the United Nations. Through research and
reporting on conflicts throughout the world, Oxfam reminds the Security Council and its member
states of their responsibility to protect vulnerable civilians worldwide. Following thedevelopment of conflicts allows Oxfam to compare on-the-ground information to both the PoC
doctrine as well as the mandates for specific conflict contexts.
Oxfam has advocacy staff in strategic locations worldwide. Offices are tasked with specifically
coordinating advocacy campaigns tailored to their region. For example, the Geneva advocacy
office deals explicitly with political influence at various organizations headquartered there.
Relationships with policy makers are cultivated via face-to-face meetings as well as through the
production and presentation of policy recommendations.
Oxfam created a public petition calling to open discussions on an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) andpresented it to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in 2006 (website
http://www.oxfam.org/en/campaigns/conflict/controlarms). Their petition strategy led to member
state support for drafting the ATT. In the weeks leading up to ATT negotiations in 2012 and
2013, Oxfam launched a creative public awareness campaign by erecting fake tombstones which
elucidated the heavy violence inflicted by elicit arms trade.47
47(Cairns 2008)
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12. Major Accomplishments & Goals Achieved
Advocacy projects previously run by Oxfam have been successful in promoting protection of
civilians as well as in promoting topics related to PoC. Through its reports and recommendations,
Oxfam has lobbied for Responsibility to Protect (R2P), advising the UN to avoid the recourse to
early military intervention.48In 2005, the R2P doctrine was codified for states to protect
populations from genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity is an
international commitment by governments to prevent and react to grave crises, wherever they
may occur. This enshrinement paved the way for future inclusion of PoC activities.49
Oxfam has successfully lobbied for the inclusion of PoC language in UNSC peacekeeping
operation mandate. Since the Statement by the President of the Security Council in 1999, PoC
has been repeatedly addressed by the UNSC as an important issue.50
Oxfams greatest advocacy achievement is in its support for the creation of the Arms Trade
Treaty (ATT). Oxfam believes that the uncontrolled spread of arms fuels conflict, undermines
development, and contributes to countless violations of human rights and international
humanitarian law. In the great majority of cases, arms are the tools that inflict violence, coercion
and deprivation on civilians in conflict.51In 2001, Oxfam launched its campaign advocating for
the creation of the ATT and in 2013, the United Nations general assembly voted to draft the
treaty. In addition to public awareness campaigns, Oxfam and its supporters [built] public
support through meetings with legislative officials in several countries.52
Oxfam continues to advocate for policy which explicitly codifies PoC, ensuring the
peacekeeping operations follow their mandates and when they dont, the public is made aware of
inconsistencies.
48(Reindorp n.d.)
49(Cairns 2008) p21
50(UN Security Council 1999)
51(Oxfam 2011)
52(Oxfam 2013)
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13. Policy Recommendations to Ensure the Protection of Civilians
In order to address the wide range of issues which exacerbate the insecurity of civilians in
conflict zones, Oxfam recommends action be taken at varying levels.
At the international level:
Key international stakeholders, such as the various UN departments, UN member states and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) identified above, must provide an increased, reliable and
predictable funding basis to support regional organizations (discussed below). The UN Security
Council (UNSC) must demonstrate willingness and capacity to deploy mediation and diplomatic
teams at the earliest stages of a foreseeable crisis and protect civilians in new and ongoing crises.
The UNSC needs to act consistently when authorizing the use of force and actively improve UN
peacekeeping operations by enshrining the protection of civilians in mandates. Whether formal
or informal, the UNSC must ensure that mechanisms exist to detect potential conflict so that they
can be discussed at the Council and engaged if necessary. The UN Secretary-General needs to
provide timely and systematic information about threats faced by civilians.
Leading UN Member states, like the United States, must lead efforts to establish a norm for the
protection of civilians in conflict. NGOs must advocate for the protection of civilians both at the
UN as well as to individual member states.
At the regional level:
Regional organizations will play a key role in enforcing the protection of civilians in conflict. In
particular, the African Union must continue its collaborative efforts with the UN and UNSC in
promoting the protection of civilians. Regional organizations need to develop the willingness and
capacity to: deploy mediation and diplomatic teams at the earliest stages of a foreseeable crisis;employ sanctions targeting political and military leaders; use military force to prevent civilians
in exceptional cases. Regional arms control agreements need to be robustly enforced.
Additionally, when the UNSC is stalled because of disagreements between the Permanent five,
regional organizations can address civilian insecurity through their freedom to circumvent the
UNSC and implement various tools of civilian protection.
At the national level:
Individual UN member states, whether hosting conflicts or not, have the primary responsibility
to protect their citizens and should actively work to protect them from conflict and violence
through mediation and diplomacy. The protection of civilians must be given the highest priority
in military strategy. Cultivating economic and financial stability for demobilised fighters and
economically vulnerable groups will reduce the risk of recurring conflict. Ensuring that those
responsible for violence are held accountable will raise social confidence in the government.
Effective management of resources and the effects of climate change will reduce inequality and
underscore peaceful relationships between communities.
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At the local level:
Investment in local capacity is imperative. Local communities must be able to mediate, negotiate
and resolve local conflicts. Local governments need to provide equal access to essential services
(including health, education, water and sanitation) and land and to reduce inequalities between
communities. Local military and police forces need to be at the forefront of ensuring civilian
security and need to work in conjunction with any UN peacekeeping troop or Formed Police
Units that are deployed to their region in order to maintain a secure environment once UN
missions end.53
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14. Our teams Proposal
Our practicum team will provide a thorough policy analysis of various peacekeeping activitiesran by DPKO and mandated by the UNSC. We will identify practices outside of the operational
mandate for each mission and analyze for systemic inconsistencies and patterns. We will submit
recommendations based on our research, as assigned by our client, Oxfam.
Our team offers a variety of skills that could be useful for these activities. We have a diversegroup of self-starters who are dedicated to global change, adherence to rights, standards, and
equity in due process.
Our team is prepared to read, write and speak several languages if documents or interviews arenot available in English. More than one member of our team has fluency in Spanish, French, and
Georgian, Wolof, Fulani, Tuculeur as well as advanced understandings in Egyptian andLevantine Arabic and Turkish.
Our team members have worked in different professional and academic fields and can utilizeskills learned in practice from former projects, including advanced accounting, advanced graphicdesign, and advanced business practice. Many members of the team have worked on human
rights and development projects in the past and have drafted published country briefs, humanrights reports, and written grants and benchmarks for peace-building. Two members of our team
have an in-depth knowledge of resource dependency related conflicts and methods to protectcivilians in that field. Other skills include media analysis, report writing, social media,
entrepreneurship, the Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, SPSS, GIS, and a fluency inboth PCs and Macs.
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Bibliography
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