restoring law & order and crime prevention - Peace Operations ...

31• Small local gangs formed on ethnic lines• Increase in violence against women (particularly domesticviolence during post-conflict period)• Increase in petty offences like traffic violations and theft cases.Systematic human rights violations in many cases and absence of Rule ofLaw are the most common characteristic in all the conflict affectedcountries. Also, one of the phenomena that characterize the contemporaryarmed conflict - compared to traditional armed conflict - is that mostvictims are civilians (between 70 to 90%) and among these, in turn,between 70 to 85% are women and girls. 33Under such circumstances putting civilian police services is of greatimportance and a crucial issue to re-introduce security and the authority ofthe government in the conflict affected region for long term peace-buildingprocesses and sustainable peace in the region. Establishment of a crediblePolice System also acts as an important confidence building measure.Removing the military from the civilian areas after the conflict situation iscontained, and putting Police services in their place also conveys a sense ofnormalcy after the conflict as the masses are more comfortable with thepresence of the Police Services than the Military forces.From the beginning of peacekeeping missions, the United Nations has beeninvolved in re-establishing and strengthening security, human rights andjustice in the aftermath of the conflict for effective protection of thecivilians.33Rehn, Elizabeth and Searleaf Johnson S. Women, War and Peace: The Independent Assessment onthe Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Women’s Role in Peace Building. (2002). New York.United Nations.