Protection of Civilians : Implementing Guidelines for Military Components of United Nations Peacekeeping Missions

Abstract

These guidelines apply to all military personnel deployed in UN field missions with POC mandates, as well as staff members of the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and Field Support (DFS), United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ). Key personnel of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs), including decision makers and planners, will find these guidelines useful as they train and prepare contingents for a UN Peacekeeping mission. These guidelines focus on physical protection of civilians against violence in any form or manifestation by the perpetrator, including but not limited to armed groups, non-state actors and state actors (where applicable) individually or collectively at operational and tactical levels. They provide enough room for planners and commanders to incorporate changes in the planning and execution of operations as the situation evolves.