Armed conflicts are increasingly claiming more civilian casualties. Therefore, the Security Council has tasked several peacekeeping operations with protecting civilians from violence.
In the mid-1990s, Blue Helmets found themselves deployed in internal conflicts where civilians were frequently targeted. Missions like MINUAR in Rwanda and FORPRONU in former Yugoslavia faced systematic attacks on civilians that Blue Helmets were unprepared to confront. These conflicts, along with 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 serious violations of children’s rights.
The Security Council thus placed the protection of civilians on its agenda and developed an architecture of solutions to strengthen the role of Blue Helmets in protection matters. Mandates and rules of engagement were defined so that Blue Helmets 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. The primary role of Blue Helmets 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 Blue Helmets are authorized, as a last resort, to physically intervene to protect civilians.
Over 95% of Blue Helmets are now tasked with protecting civilians
This includes protection for children and against conflict-related sexual violence. The vast majority of Blue Helmets currently serve in missions where mandates prioritize civilian protection. The High-Level Group tasked with 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 Blue Helmets. Challenges with the mandate often revolve around how the international community and those we seek to protect assess our value as Blue Helmets.
How do we protect people 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 conflicts;
- Civilian experts, including child protection advisers, women protection advisers, and civilian protection advisers, conduct activities to demobilize child soldiers, persuade armed groups to renounce sexual violence, and coordinate military operations to protect civilians;
- Our soldiers and police officers contribute unique skills to security and stability;
- Experts in rule of law and fundamental rights further ensure a protective environment.
A challenging mandate
As expected from an organization that serves as a last resort in times of conflict and crisis, Blue Helmets face challenges and constraints, especially regarding civilian protection. Even the largest peacekeeping missions deploy relatively few personnel compared to the size of the territory and population. For example, MONUSCO 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 Blue Helmets are deployed suffer from instability, often with poor infrastructure and limited local security services. Meeting 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 Blue Helmets, as well as their inherent limitations.
We must not forget that our Blue Helmets – civilians, police, men and women, soldiers – save lives every day. They protect civilians and help implement 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, the mandate for civilian protection has become a cornerstone of UN peacekeeping operations, shaping how missions prevent and respond to violence against civilians. To commemorate this 25-year journey, we share a collection of personal stories and reflections illustrating frontline efforts in civilian protection. This series of Profiles in Civilian Protection traces the evolution of the mandate from its creation in 1999 to today. From field operations in conflict-affected areas to strategic decision-making at the UN Security Council, the stories highlight 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 challenging conflicts.
The twenty-three protection profiles can be read in this special booklet.
