the process of security sector reform - ISAC Fund

Robert S. Tomasovic PEACE KEEPING MISSIONS
Robert S. Tomasovic PEACE KEEPING MISSIONS
• National policy supporting troop deployments
• Official support to UN Standby Arrangements System
• Officers trained in multilateral peace operations
• Peace operations doctrine promulgated in the force
• Units trained and assessed on peacekeeping skills
• Training facility based on international standards
• Units and soldiers sufficiently equipped to sustain themselves and to
perform the mission
• Unit leaders and staff proficient in mission language to ease integration
in multinational peace operations
• Implementation of internationally accepted objectives and standards for
leadership, doctrine, training, and materiel to facilitate peace operations
interoperability
The following table illustrates the role of the military in peace operations.
In summary, peace operations are characterized by these points:
• Participation in peace operations is selective.
• Participation is consistent with national policy and the requirements to
maintain war-fighting readiness and multi-mission capabilities.
• Nations seek to improve effectiveness of international peace operations
by enhancing their capabilities as well as those of other countries and the
UN.
• Learning lessons from peace operations is a continuous process.
• The price of peace operations is preferable when compared to the cost of
conflict in human terms and in cost.
CIVILIAN POLICE IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS
The mandate for Civilian Police in a peacekeeping mission varies according to
the mission. Generally they assure (or establish that) the local police operate
according to internationally recognized standards of policing in a democratic
society and they understand and adhere to the principles of basic human rights
and freedoms. In doing so, they establish a safe and secure environment within
the mission area. Specifically Civilian Police may be charged with any or all of
these duties:
• Monitoring the actions of the local police
• Advising, training and helping local police
• Establishing police services and enhancing their work
• Integrating all component of the criminal justice system (police, courts
and corrections) to ensure comprehensive and sustainable RULE OF
LAW
The first Civilian Police involvement in peacekeeping missions started in 1960
in the Congo. They are now employed in all thirteen UN peacekeeping missions,
(including an ongoing mission of over 30 years in Cyprus), with over 7,000
police officers serving in the missions and 80 different countries contributing.
Since 1988 (Namibia) the importance of Civilian Police in peace operations has
increased sharply. For example:
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