protecting civilians in situations of violent conflict
TRANSCRIPT
Protecting Threatened Civilians Protecting Threatened Civilians In In
Situations of Violent Conflict:Situations of Violent Conflict:
The Role of The Role of Unarmed Glocal CiviliansUnarmed Glocal Civilians
A Briefing and Discussion at the A Briefing and Discussion at the United NationsUnited Nations
by Mel Duncan and Rolf Carriereby Mel Duncan and Rolf CarriereNonviolent Peaceforce Nonviolent Peaceforce
New York, 10 June 2011New York, 10 June 2011
Focus of this Presentation Keeping people physically safe By organized, professional
multinational, gender-balanced, impartial teams of civilians
Dedicated to protection only Working by invitation of, and with,
local civil society organizations
Focus of this Presentation Practicing ‘proactive presence’ 24/7 Without use of armed force Complying to strict security protocols Funded by great variety of donors
Outline Context of Violent Conflict Response to Violent Conflict Human Security & Protection of
Civilians Role of Global Civil Society Unarmed Civilian Protection Nonviolent Peaceforce Relating to IASC
Context of Violent Conflict
World Bank: 1.5 billions people currently live in countries with repeated violence (WDR 2011)
Not one of these countries has achieved a single MDG (WDR 2011)
It is no longer acceptable to allow belligerents to fight till exhaustion-- if only for the sake of civilians… (and the economy…)
Context of Violent Conflict
US$2.4 trillion (or 4.4% of global economy) “is dependent on violence” (referring to “industries that create or manage violence”) (Global Peace Index 2010)
On average, the total national and regional cost of a single war is more than US$64 billion… then add to this global impacts of international terrorism, drugs production and spread of HIV
(Paul Collier, World Bank/Oxford)
Context of Violent ConflictFuture violence potential remains high, due to:
• Growing ethnic tension• With more self-determination, 193->2000 nations?
• Competitive race for scarce resources• Depleting energy sources, water, precious minerals)
• Trade in/ubiquitous presence of small arms• Growing population pressure
• People voting with their feet• Climate change• Economic collapse• Viral, daily in your face• Widening income disparities
Context of Violent Conflict Changed nature of war & violence
• More intra-state, civil wars• Last longer (10x than international)• Less noticed• Civilian/military casualties in wars went
from 10/90 to at least 75/25 over the past century
Therefore, new challenge of physical safety demands new response in protection of civilians
Increasingly, threatening and targeting of vulnerable
Civilian Populationschildren women
ethnic/religious minorities ‘first peoples’ dispossessed suppressed
and
Individuals journalists
humanitarian aid workers (100+ death/yr) human rights workers
Whatever the current level of action for protection of civilians, and whoever provides it,
the world needs
far more Protection of Civilians
Since End of Cold War Some historic shifts in perceptions:
• Human Security (basic rights + freedom from fear + freedom from want)
• R2P (sovereignty as responsibility)• Protection of Civilians (as ‘humanitarian
imperative’)• Resurgence of Nonviolence (Middle East,
Yellow, Orange, Velvet etc.)• Peoples Right to Peace• Role of Third UN (civilian capacities)
Responding to Violent Conflict
In order to protect threatened civilians: for world community as a whole
(and UN in particular)
what is the proper balance between (and among)
• Humanitarian• Developmental• Political/Diplomatic • Military
engagements/interventions in complex security situations?
Responding to Violent Conflict
What are most appropriate types of engagements/interventions to protect threatened civilians?
Which actors are best placed to play what roles?
Where to focus and when?
Growing consensus: No one can do it alone! A necessary complementarity
Protection of Civilians: Many Forms
Humanitarian assistance aimed at saving lives, providing basic services, and keeping people safe;
Diplomatic initiatives to prevent or resolve conflicts; Military action when peaceful means fail; Challenging violations of human rights and ending
poverty, disease, and environmental degradation; Control of the arms trade and reducing the danger
posed by guns and explosive weapons.
Protection of Civilians in 2010 Facts, figures and the UN Security Council response (Oxfam, May 2011, p.9)
Responding to Violent Conflict These many options pose some
fundamental issues, strategic choices, questions of operational sequencing, funding priorities, other dilemmas…
Most basic + urgent needs first (in rights-based context…)
Much is already being done… By main actors of
IASC Protection Cluster
All have comparative strengths & limitations
Not all focus exclusively on physical PoC
•DPKO•ICRC•UNHCR•UNICEF•WFP•UNHCHR•UNDP & UNV•PROCAP•OCHA•INGOs
IOM, MSF, Oxfam
Much is already being done But also by private military &
security companies (PMSCs) (‘occupying’ humanitarian space, competing for resources)• Sub/contractors (120 companies in 2007)
The Privatisation of Security in Failing States– A Quantitative Assessment, Z. Branovic, DECAF, May 2011
• 190,000 personnel in Iraq alone (USCBO 2008)
• For profit• Future role? in humanitarian interventions,
peacekeeping missions, state-building projects• Accountability?
Civilian Capacities or Mercenaries?
Responding to Violent Conflict
Even so, other global civilian capacities for PoC exist (or are potentially
available), but remain unused (Guehenno report)
Perhaps often only on small scale, but scalable
Unarmed Civilian Protection (UPC) has its own comparative advantages & fills important niche
Military peacekeeping’s cost, effectiveness, timeliness and
efficiency for PoC is being questioned
(UN, NATO, AU)
Many civilians and organizations, all over the world, are convinced they, too, can contribute to peacekeeping + PoC
Theirs is the power of nonviolent presence-- a role that cannot be played by the military or police
Taking Risks For Peace
Only Men and Women in Military Uniform ?
Greater Role for Civil Society
As a result, civil society is organizing itself in many ways
to help prevent, stop or transform violent conflict.
‘Sovereignty-free Actors’ (Rosenau)
Redressing the BalanceFromFrom
National security Hard power State & military
Reactive & late General humanitarian
relief Ad hoc protection (or
as by-product of ‘international presence’)
TowardsTowards Human security Soft power Civilian & unarmed,
nonviolent Preventive & early Effective physical
protection (as top need) Intentional proactive
presence (dedicated, professional on call)
Towards A New Security…(Can You See It That Way?)
National > Human Security Hard > Soft Power Military > Civilian Armed > Unarmed Reactive > Preventive Late > Early General > Proactive Presence
Some special interests may not see it that way…
Focus of this Presentation Keeping people physically safe By organized, professional
multinational, gender-balanced, impartial teams of civilians
Dedicated to protection only Working by invitation of, and with,
local civil society organizations
Focus of this Presentation Practicing ‘proactive presence’ 24/7 Without use of armed force Complying to strict security protocols Funded by great variety of donors
Why, how and when does proactive presence work?
[based on Liam Mahony’s slide series]
Growing the Sheltering Tree
“Conscious presence is required: presence that has the specific aim of preventing or reducing violations…
People in danger confirm that presence is an essential protection tool.”
(IASC 2002)
Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping
Encouragement
Deterrence Influence
Nonviolenc
e
Independence
Primacy of Internal
Conflict ActorsNonpartisansh
ipUDHR & IHL
Confi
denc
e Bu
ildin
g
Conscious Visibility Protectio
n Capacity
Building
Multi-Level Diplomacy
PROACTIVE PRESENCE
MPT
What is Proactive Presence?
Proactive Presence = Trained field staff combining multiple strategies to positively influence the dynamics of violence against civilians on the ground. (Means PROACTIVE)
“What is needed…is not passive presence for its own sake, but well informed and carefully analysed strategies and tactics that use the presence of each [UCP] to influence all the actors around them.”
-Liam Mahoney
MPT
How Does Proactive Presence Work? DETERRENCE
Decision Makers
(Worried about Int’l Image)
Perpetrators of Violence
(Worried about
witnesses)
Targeted Civilians
Chai
n of
Com
man
d
International PressureX
MPT
How Does Proactive Presence Work? DETERRENCE
Decision Makers
(Worried about Int’l Image)
Perpetrators of Violence
(Worried about
witnesses)
Targeted Civilians
Chai
n of
Com
man
d
International Pressure
“It’s not really me.”
MPT
How Does Proactive Presence Work? DETERRENCE
Decision Makers
(Worried about Int’l Image)
Perpetrators of Violence
(Worried about witnesses)
Targeted Civilians
Chai
n of
Com
man
d
International PressureX
X
Why Does It Work?Why Does It Work? All parties have multiple sensitivities,
vulnerabilities and points of leverage. International presence’ impact is implicitly
linked to these vulnerabilities Leverage is global, national and local Leverage is political. Leverage is personal. Enhances local reconciliation and human
rights work Introducing nonviolent can change
atmostpheres
Why Abusers Pay AttentionWhy Abusers Pay Attention Personal or political reputation Access to political and economic benefits–
goods, money, political support, weapons… International prosecution; avoiding blame;
sustaining options for a political career. ‘Comparative image’ relative to opponents Ideological alliances Orders from superior officers Individual moral concerns
Past & Present Peace Team Efforts
Peace Brigades International
Christian Peacemaker Teams
Witness for Peace International Fellowship
of Reconciliation Sipaz (Mexico) SERPAJ (Latin America) United Civilians for Peace Peaceworkers Balkan Peace Teams
Bantay Ceasefire (Mindanao) Shanti Sena (Gujarat) Gulf Peace Team Cry for Justice (Haiti) EMPSA (Ecumenical Monitoring
Project South Africa) ISM (International Solidarity
Movement) GIPP (Grassroots Initiative to
Protect Palestinians) EAPPI (Ecumenical
Accompaniment Programme in Palestine/Israel)
Women’s International Peace Service (Palestine)
Civil society-to-civil society, not an extension of any national foreign policy
65 MemberOrganizationsWorldwide
1. Niche for Nonviolent Peaceforce
2. Strategies, Tactics and Activities in Intervention
3. Best Practices in Field Relationships
4. Nonviolent Peaceforce Personnel
5. Training and Preparation
Feasibility Study
UCP is…
Not disorganised individuals showing up without a plan, thinking only their presence is enough.
Organised teams strategically implementing proven tactics for protecting civilians and reducing violence.
Not well-intentioned volunteers working against “oppressors” and naively sticking flowers in gun barrel
Well-trained professionals working proactively with key stakeholders on all levels to increase security of all people
Not white people from the global North holding threatened peoples’ hands so they do not get shot.
Security-conscious international/multi-cultural teams working and living within communities affected by violence and supporting them to increase their own security.Not an add-on to an already
over-burdened work day or something done indirectly while passing out food.
A specific, focused activity, based on lessons learned and compelling practices
Key UCP Activities
Conscious VisibilityM
ulti-Level Diplomacy
Prot
ecti
on
Confi
denc
e Bu
ildin
gCa
paci
ty
Build
ing
Facilitation of Safe Access to Government Mechanisms
Forums/Meetings for State Duty-Bearers and
Vulnerable Communities
Safe Travel Routes for Civilians
Accompaniment/ Protective Presence for
Vulnerable Individuals / HRDs / Community
WorkersEstablishment and
monitoring of protocols with government and military
actors
Coordination of security services for vulnerable civilians
Community Conflict Early Warning Early
Response Systems
Collaborative security assessments,
consultations, and trainings
Support for Community
Security Teams
Community Conflict Resolution
Facilitation
Intentional presence during
critical times
Ceasefire Monitoring
Verification Mission on Landmine Use in Mindanao
Unarmed, Civilian Peacekeepers enable humanitarian & development entities to be
successful in their work
‘As far as I am aware, this is the first time in the history of international relationsthat such a fact-finding mission has been carried out with the agreement of, and facilitation by, both parties to an armed conflict, in casu, a State and a non-State actor.’
Unarmed civilian Peacekeepers – emphasizing neutrality and impartiality – provide logistical support for Geneva Call as it conducts an historic Verification Mission on landmine use in Mindanao
Eric David, Professor of Law at Brussels University, mission participant
Professionally trained
Teams come from all over the world
Sri LankaSri Lanka
MindanaoMindanao
GRP and MILF invite NP to join Civilian Protection Component of the International Monitoring Team
Southern SudanSouthern Sudan
Kyrgyzstan & South CaucasusKyrgyzstan & South Caucasus
Not about NP, but the concept & practice
How does NP relate to IASC Members/Principles & Standards?
@ HQs level Consultations with 20+ UN entities in GVA & NY Framework Agreement with UNHCR Partnership Agreements with UNICEF Also occasional dealings with Global Policy
Forum, ICVA, ALNAP, CONGO etc. Offered to participate through ICVA in
civilian protection sub-cluster
NP Relating to IASCNP Relating to IASC @ Country/Sub-National/Field level Fully integrated in cluster approach
(Protection cluster + GBV, CP, RNA sub-clusters) Applying SPHERE standards Sharing information, access and
introductions in areas where NP has longer or more community-based presence, or has better local acceptance than UN
Ad hoc info (e.g., on new displacements, individual cases NP comes across, and security flashes)
NP Relating to IASCNP Relating to IASC @ Country/Field level Formal & informal coordination,
capacity building, mutual training NP not bound by UN security protocol
and phases Hence able to stay and live with
threatened communities, continuing to protect
Based on NP’s own security protocol
NP Relating to IASCNP Relating to IASC @ Country/Field level At times, requested to take local lead Provides accompaniment to IASC
partners Takes part in inter-agency security
coordination Creates link and referral between
local needs and UN system higher up
Responding to Violent Conflict Where to focus?
Evidence of high risk (40+%) of relapse into war within the decade after ceasefire/peace agreement
Typically, only about 12 countries are in the post-conflict category at any one time
90% of civil wars in the 2000s occurred in countries that had already experienced civil war in previous 30 years (WDR2011)
A US$5 billion investment in international peacekeeping and well-targeted aid would deliver a return of US$397 billion in post-conflict countries
Therefore, high predictability + very high returns!
Source: Paul Collier, World Bank/Oxford