Civilians Protecting Civilians. Presented by Rolf Carriere and Mel Duncan at Caux Forum on Human Security, 12 July 2011.

1. Protecting Threatened Civilians and Preventing Violence The Role of Unarmed Civilians A Briefing & Discussion @ Human Security Forum, IofC by Mel Duncan & Rolf Carriere Nonviolent Peaceforce Caux, 12 July 2011

10. Increasingly, threatening and targeting of vulnerable Civilian Populations children women ethnic/religious minorities ‘ first peoples’ dispossessed suppressed and Individuals journalists humanitarian aid workers (100+ death/yr) human rights workers

11. Whatever the current level of action for protection of civilians, and whoever provides it, the world needs far more Protection of Civilians

12. The Question is: HOW ?

14. “ The journey from war to sustainable peace is not possible in the absence of stronger civilian capacity. Without this capacity, there may be breaks in the fighting, but resilient institutions will not take root and the risk of renewed violence will remain.” Jean-Marie Guéhenno, former UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, transmitting the report Civilian Capacity in the Aftermath of Conflict to UN Secretary General, Ban-Ki Moon .

22. The Basics of Unarmed Civilian Protection What it is and Why it Works

23. The Purpose of Unarmed Civilian Protection

25. UCP is… Not disorganised individuals showing up without a plan, thinking only their presence is enough. Organised teams strategically implementing proven tactics for protecting civilians and reducing violence. Not well-intentioned volunteers working against “oppressors” and naively sticking flowers in gun barrels. Well-trained professionals working proactively with key stakeholders on all levels to increase security of all people Not white people from the global North holding threatened peoples’ hands so they do not get shot. Security-conscious international/multi-cultural teams working and living within communities affected by violence and supporting them to increase their own security. Not an add-on to an already over-burdened work day or something done indirectly while passing out food. A specific, focused activity, based on lessons learned and compelling practices

26. Unarmed Civilian Protection PROACTIVE PRESENCE Encouragement Deterrence Influence Nonviolence Independence Primacy of Internal Conflict Actors Nonpartisanship Human Rights Confidence Building Conscious Visibility Protection Capacity Building Multi-Level Diplomacy

28. 1. Understand that UCP’s are partial: (e.g. towards human rights, security of all people, peaceful resolution of conflicts, etc.). Cannot be afraid of the values and mission underlying the work. 2. Separate violent actions committed from the people who commit those actions (problems vs. people). 3. Work transparently (key stakeholders know what we are doing) while maintaining the confidentiality of those we serve. 4. Strive for ACCEPTANCE and strategic connection from all key stakeholders. 5. Adhere to the 3rd Principle of UCP: Primacy of Internal Conflict Actors (i.e. It’s not about what we want, it’s our job to create the space for internal actors to achieve what they want.) Lesson Learned from Implementing Nonpartisanship in the Field

29. What is Proactive Presence? “ What is needed…is not passive presence for its own sake, but well informed and carefully analysed strategies and tactics that use the presence of each [UCP] to influence all the actors around them.” -Liam Mahoney

30. MPT How Does Proactive Presence Work? DETERRENCE Decision Makers (Worried about Int’l Image) Perpetrators of Violence (Worried about witnesses) Targeted Civilians Chain of Command International Pressure X

31. MPT How Does Proactive Presence Work? DETERRENCE Decision Makers (Worried about Int’l Image) Perpetrators of Violence (Worried about witnesses) Targeted Civilians Chain of Command International Pressure “ It’s not really me.”

32. MPT How Does Proactive Presence Work? DETERRENCE Decision Makers (Worried about Int’l Image) Perpetrators of Violence (Worried about witnesses) Targeted Civilians Chain of Command International Pressure X X

34. Key UCP Activities Conscious Visibility Multi-Level Diplomacy Protection Confidence Building Capacity Building Facilitation of Safe Access to Government Mechanisms Forums/Meetings for State Duty-Bearers and Vulnerable Communities Safe Travel Routes for Civilians Accompaniment/ Protective Presence for Vulnerable Individuals / HRDs / Community Workers Establishment and monitoring of protocols with government and military actors Coordination of security services for vulnerable civilians Community Conflict Early Warning Early Response Systems Collaborative security assessments, consultations, and trainings Support for Community Security Teams Community Conflict Resolution Facilitation Intentional presence during critical times Ceasefire Monitoring

35. Local Membership Organizations Easy Access Effective Training Methodology Tried & Tested Global professionals Peacekeepers High Quality Candidates For activation Network of Influencers At times of crisis Visionary & practical goal Human Security Complementing MDGs NP’s Assets Broad constituency Donors Growing Appeal, incl. UN Fully operational Specialist Organization Ready to scale up Even more relevant now Feasibilty Study Defines Niche for NP

40. Verification Mission on Landmine Use in Mindanao Unarmed, Civilian Peacekeepers enable humanitarian & development entities to be successful in their work ‘ As far as I am aware, this is the first time in the history of international relations that such a fact-finding mission has been carried out with the agreement of, and facilitation by, both parties to an armed conflict, in casu, a State and a non-State actor.’ Unarmed civilian Peacekeepers – emphasizing neutrality and impartiality – provide logistical support for Geneva Call as it conducts an historic Verification Mission on landmine use in Mindanao Eric David, Professor of Law at Brussels University, mission participant

41. Teams come from all over the world

42. Sri Lanka

44. Southern Sudan

45. Kyrgyzstan & South Caucasus

46. Not about NP, but the concept & practice

48. Nonviolent Peaceforce International Headquarters: Rue Belliard 205 1040 – Bruxelles, Belgium Phone: 32 -2-648-0076 [email_address] [email_address] Thank you www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org