Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Winter 2024
Published In
Ethics & International Affairs
Abstract
United Nations peacekeeping is experiencing a generational shift as several large missions downsize and close. Amid this change, this essay considers the future of the Protection of Civilians (PoC) mandate, which has been a priority of UN peacekeeping since it was first authorized twenty-five years ago. It argues that PoC has evolved significantly, expanding from a narrow focus on physical protection from immediate threats to a holistic approach that includes establishing a protective environment. It suggests that while the PoC mandate has proven effective in reducing violence, the future is fraught with four significant challenges: waning state commitment to UN peacekeeping, the fragmentation of global peace and security mechanisms, shifting local perceptions in a rapidly changing information landscape, and mounting disillusionment among UN personnel. This essay contends that these obstacles underscore the inherently political nature of PoC, where power dynamics and perceptions profoundly impact mission success. As peacekeeping missions scale back, PoC remains essential but increasingly precarious, demanding strategic adaptability and sustained commitment. Ultimately, the essay argues that without renewed political and institutional dedication, PoC’s effectiveness—and the UN’s credibility—will be difficult to uphold in the face of evolving conflict dynamics and geopolitical shifts.
Keywords
protection, protection of civilians, peacekeeping, peace operations, United Nations, use of force, conflict, human rights
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Emily Paddon Rhoads.
(2024).
"The Future Of Protection In UN Peace Operations".
Ethics & International Affairs.
Volume 38,
Issue 4.
418-432.
DOI: 10.1017/S0892679425000085
https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-poli-sci/755
Comments
This work is freely available under a Creative Commons license.