The UN and the Protection of Civilians: Sustaining the Momentum

Abstract The protection of civilians (PoC) concept remains contested twenty-three years after the first PoC mandate. Current frameworks used by United Nations (UN) do not assist with determining applicable legal standards. They lead UN down an unsustainable path that risks diminishing political support for PoC, especially within intense conflicts and following well-documented failures. With ever-rising expectations from communities under protection, UN’s ‘Three Tiers Action’, complexity dilution mandates a whole-of-mission approach, it becomes challenging to determine what missions must protect individuals. Undertaking major re-evaluation this article charts progression drawing on examples several out diverse nature subsequent activities. then argues current definitions practical applications have cast net too wide, presented uncertainties, leave open attack Member States amidst climate weakened collective security action. Instead, discussion shift towards concise shared understanding entail peace operations. suggests how can be reconceptualised distinguish narrow easily communicated minimum obligation placed peacekeepers.