08 October 2026

The CSRF will go on hiatus as feedback on a funding proposal for continued operations is pending. Normal operations continue until 31 October 2026. Please continue to use the resources on the website, which will be maintained into 2027 regardless of the funding situation. We ask for your understanding as new outputs, trainings, and events go on pause, or if queries go unanswered, from October onwards.

Home Repository document Protection of Civilians in the United Nations: A Peacekeeping Illusion?

Protection of Civilians in the United Nations: A Peacekeeping Illusion?

This chapter provides an overview of the implementation of POC mandates in UN peace operations, drawing on Hilde Johnson’s experience from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) between 2011 and 2014 as Special Representative and Head of Mission. UNMISS had a broad POC-mandate, covering both military, police and civilian components. The author will start with a focus on the capacity to protect through non-military means, and then move on to the capacity to provide physical protection. Third, the author will address the responsibility of the host government. To conclude, the author will offer a few recommendations for strengthening the protection of civilians in UN peace operations.