PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS (PSO 1)

Question 1

What is the aim of the document on the protection of civilians?

Answer 1

To detail duties of all peacekeeping personnel for the protection of civilians (POC)

Question 2

What is the relevance of protection of civilians?

Answer 2

A priority for the Security Council and a responsibility for all peacekeeping personnel

Question 3

What should participants be able to explain at the end of the lesson?

Answer 3

POC in UN peacekeeping

Question 4

List examples of protection threats civilians face in armed conflict.

Answer 4

• Armed conflict
• Physical violence
• Deliberate targeting of civilians
• Use of mines and explosives

Question 5

What are the key components of the learning overview?

Answer 5

• Importance of Protecting Civilians
• POC in UN Peacekeeping
• Legal Framework
• DPO/DOS Policy on POC in UN PKOs
• Operational Concept on POC

Question 6

Why is protecting civilians important?

Answer 6

• Harmed unintentionally
• Deliberate targets
• Women and children suffer disproportionately

Question 7

What are the interpretations of protection in UN peacekeeping?

Answer 7

• Rights-based approach
• Stabilization and peacebuilding
• Physical protection from harm

Question 8

What does the POC mandate include?

Answer 8

All necessary means, up to and including the use of deadly force, aimed at preventing or responding to threats of physical violence against civilians

Question 9

Who is classified as a civilian?

Answer 9

Any person who is not or is no longer directly participating in hostilities or other acts of violence

Question 10

Define a threat in the context of protection of civilians.

Answer 10

An impending or potential physical violence against civilians

Question 11

What are some vulnerability factors affecting civilians?

Answer 11

• Age
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Religion
• Political affiliation
• Social status

Question 12

What does the legal framework for POC include?

Answer 12

• UN Charter
• International Humanitarian Law
• International Human Rights Law
• International Refugee Law
• Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

Question 13

What are the guiding principles of DPO/DOS policy on POC?

Answer 13

• Primary responsibility of host government
• Grounded in international law
• Whole of mission approach
• Priority mandate
• Cooperation with humanitarian actors

Question 14

What are the three tiers of the Operational Concept on POC?

Answer 14

• Tier I: Protection through dialogue and engagement
• Tier II: Provision of physical protection
• Tier III: Establishment of a protective environment

Question 15

What are the four phases of response in POC?

Answer 15

• Prevention
• Pre-emption
• Response
• Consolidation

Question 16

What is the role of the Protection Adviser?

Answer 16

Supports and advises mission leadership, develops POC strategy, and integrates POC concerns across the mission

Question 17

Who are considered protection partners?

Answer 17

• Host state government
• Local communities
• UN partners (UNHCR, OHCHR, OCHA, UNICEF)
• ICRC
• NGOs and civil society organizations

Question 18

What can individual peacekeeping personnel do to support POC?

Answer 18

• Engage local communities
• Understand POC mandate and threats
• Cooperate with mission components and partners
• Interpret the POC mandate proactively

Question 19

True or False: Women and children are disproportionately affected by violence in armed conflict.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

Fill in the blank: The POC strategy is the primary tool at the mission level to implement the POC mandate and plan responses to _______.

Answer 20

[POC threats]