United Nations Police:
Restoring Civil Order Following Hostilities
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORMAT OF STUDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V
METHOD OF STUDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VI
LESSON 1 – UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
The United Nations Charter
Structure of the United Nations
Principles for Peacekeeping
Operational and Tactical Considerations
Composition of Peacekeeping Operations
Management of Peacekeeping Operations
LESSON 2 – CIVILIAN POLICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
History of Civilian Police Operations
Roles and Duties
Privileges, Immunities, and Responsibilities
General Requirements
Specific Requirements
Cultural and Social Relations
Interaction with the Media
Organisation and Staff Duties
Interaction with Military Staff and NGOs
Do’s and Don’ts
LESSON 3 – STAFF DUTIES AND REPORTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
Written Communications
Report Writing Style Guide
Daily Situations Report
Investigation and Charge Report
Other Reports
LESSON 4 – LIAISON, NEGOTIATION AND MEDIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Liaison
Negotiation
Mediation
The Use of Interpreters
iii
LESSON 5 – ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICS MATTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
5.1
5.2
Notes for the Guidance of UNCIVPOL on Assignment
Logistics Support
LESSON 6 – SECURITY AND SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
General Security Measures
Hijacking
Detainment
Mines
Sniper Fire
Lost Radio Contact
LESSON 7 – FIRST AID AND HEALTH PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
Principles of First Aid
Medical Situations Requiring First Aid Assistance
CASEVAC/MEDEVAC Requests
Notice of Casualty/Death (NOTICAS)
Alcohol and Food
HIV, Basic Vaccination
Stress Management
LESSON 8 – INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
Communications: The Pros and Cons of Various Devices
Regulations Affecting UN Use of Communications
Procedures for Radio Communication
Postal Arrangements
LESSON 9 – DRIVING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
9.1
9.2
9.3
Permits and Responsibilities
Winter Driving
Desert Driving
APPENDIX A: ACRONYMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
APPENDIX B: SAMPLE LETTERS AND FORM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
END-OF-COURSE EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
iv
FORMAT OF STUDY
This course is designed for independent study
at a pace determined by the student.
Course format and materials permit:
• MODULAR STUDY
• EASE OF REVIEW
• INCREMENTAL LEARNING
STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY
The student is responsible for:
•
•
•
Learning course material
Completing the End-of-Course Examination
Submitting the End-of-Course Examination
Please consult your enrolment confirmation email or the end of
this course for examination submission instructions.
v
METHOD OF STUDY
The following are suggestions for how to proceed with this course.
Though the student may have alternate approaches that are
effective, the following hints have worked for many.
•
Before you begin actual studies, first browse through the overall course material.
Notice the lesson outlines, which give you an idea of what will be involved as you
proceed.
•
The material should be logical and straightforward. Instead of memorizing individual
details, strive to understand concepts and overall perspectives in regard to the
United Nations system.
•
Set up guidelines regarding how you want to schedule your time.
•
Study the lesson content and the learning objectives. At the beginning of each
lesson, orient yourself to the main points. If you are able to, read the material twice
to ensure maximum understanding and retention, and let time elapse between
readings.
•
When you finish a lesson, take the End-of-Lesson Quiz. For any error, go back to
the lesson section and re-read it. Before you go on, be aware of the discrepancy in
your understanding that led to the error.
•
After you complete all of the lessons, take time to review the main points of each
lesson. Then, while the material is fresh in your mind, take the End-of-Course
Examination in one sitting.
•
Your exam will be scored, and if you achieve a passing grade of 75 percent or
higher, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. If you score below 75
percent, you will be given one opportunity to take a second version of the End-ofCourse Examination.
•
One note about spelling is in order. This course was written in English as it is used in
the United Kingdom.
vi
LESSON 1
UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING
1.1
The United Nations Charter
1.2
Structure of the United Nations
1.3
Principles for Peacekeeping
1.4
Operational and Tactical Considerations
1.5
Composition of Peacekeeping Operations
1.6
Management of Peacekeeping Operations
Lesson 1 / United Nations Peacekeeping
2
LESSON OBJECTIVES
By the end of Lesson 1, the student should be able to meet the following objectives:
•
Understand the background to the creation of the UN;
•
Appreciate the high ideals and aspirations articulated in the preamble to the Charter of the
United Nations and the means of achieving those aspirations as outlined in the Chapters
of the Charter;
•
Understand the workings of the General Assembly and the Security Council;
•
Be familiar with some of the departments, offices, and programmes of the UN;
•
List and explain the principles for peacekeeping;
•
Understand the operational and tactical considerations of peacekeeping;
•
Be familiar with the composition of peacekeeping operations;
•
Understand the organisation of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and its role in
managing peacekeeping operations; and
•
Be familiar with the different levels of operational command and control of UN
Peacekeeping Operations.
Lesson 1 / United Nations Peacekeeping
1.1
3
The United Nations Charter
UN History in Brief
The Charter of the United Nations was
signed on 26 June 1945 at the conclusion of the
United Nations Conference on International
Organisation in San Francisco, California, and came
into force on 24 October 1945. The Statute of the
International Court of Justice is an integral part of
the Charter.
The name “United Nations,” coined by
United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was
first used during the Second World War in the
“Declaration of United Nations” on 1 January 1942,
when representatives of 26 nations pledged their
governments to continue fighting together against
the Axis Powers.
Prior to the establishment of the United
Nations, states first established international
UN Headquarters in New York, New York.
(Photo by Harvey J. Langholtz)
organisations in order to cooperate on specific
initiatives.
For example, the International
Telecommunication Union was founded in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, and the
Universal Postal Union was established in 1874. Both are now United Nations specialized
agencies.
In 1899, the International Peace Conference was held in The Hague with the goal of
elaborating instruments for settling crises peacefully, preventing wars, and codifying rules of
warfare. It adopted the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes and
established the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which began work in 1902.
The predecessor of the United Nations was the League of Nations, an organisation
conceived in similar circumstances during the First World War and established in 1919 by the
Treaty of Versailles “to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security.”
The International Labour Organisation was also created by the Treaty of Versailles as an
affiliated agency of the League. The League of Nations ceased its activities after failing to
prevent the Second World War.
In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations
Conference on International Organisation to draw up the United Nations Charter. Those
delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals worked out by the representatives of China, the
Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States at a mansion known as Dumbarton
Oaks in Washington, D.C., in September and October of 1944. The Charter was signed on 26
June 1945 by the representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the
Conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States.
Lesson 1 / United Nations Peacekeeping
4
The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter
was ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and by
a majority of other signatories.
Therefore, United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October each year.1 In the past, this
day was used for UN relations with the public. For example, on 24 October 1947, “United
Nations Day” was officially designated by the General Assembly, and on 24 October 1949, the
cornerstone for the present UN Headquarters in New York City was laid.
By the end of 2004, the UN had increased to 191 Member States. The most recent to join
are Switzerland and Timor-Leste in 2002.
The Charter of the UN
The Charter is the constituting instrument of the United Nations, setting out the rights and
obligations of Member States and establishing the Organisation’s organs and procedures.
The purposes of the United Nations, as set forth in the Charter, are to maintain
international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to cooperate in
solving international economic, environmental, social, cultural and humanitarian problems and in
promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and to be a centre for
harmonizing the nations’ actions in attaining these ends.
The Charter is composed of a preamble, 19 chapters, and 111 articles. The prefixed
Introductory Note contains the signature dates of the original version and of all amendments.
The spirit of the Preamble is conveyed in the introductory paragraphs of the UN Charter:
WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED
• to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has
brought untold sorrow to mankind, and
• to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human
person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and
• to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from
treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and
• to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
AND FOR THESE ENDS
• to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and
• to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security2, and
• to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force
shall not be used, save in the common interest, and
• to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social
advancement of all peoples,
1
2
Extract from the fully historical background in “Basic Facts about the United Nations,” 2000.
Bold type by the authors.
Lesson 1 / United Nations Peacekeeping
5
HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS.
Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives assembled in the city
of San Francisco, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due form,
have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an
international organisation to be known as the United Nations.
This final purpose is a worthy goal, but the conditions in the world fall short of this ideal.
However, peacekeepers can contribute to reaching this ideal.
The structure of the Charter is clear, and the subtitles of the Chapters help to understand
the composition, for example, “Chapter I – Purposes and Principles.” Most important for the
Civilian Police, as well as for other peacekeeping components, are Chapters V – VII (Security
Council; Pacific Settlement of Disputes; Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches
of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression). The essential decisions of the Security Council and the
physical elements of the Offence for starting a Peace Operation on behalf of the United Nations
are clearly defined in these Chapters.
Outline of the UN Charter
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX
Purposes and Principles
Membership
Organs
The General Assembly
The Security Council
Pacific Settlement of Disputes
Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches
of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression
Regional Arrangements
International Economic and Social Cooperation
The Economic and Social Council
Declaration regarding Non-Self-Governing Territories
International Trusteeship System
The Trusteeship Council
The International Court of Justice
The Secretariat
Miscellaneous Provisions
Transitional Security Arrangements
Amendments
Ratification and Signature
The full UN Charter is available on the web at: http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/index.html.
6
Lesson 1 / United Nations Peacekeeping
1.2
Structure of the United Nations
Established in the Charter, the essential structure of the UN accords to the main purposes
of the UN. The six principal organs (Chapter III, Article 7, No. 1) of the United Nations are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The General Assembly
The Security Council
The Economic and Social Council
The Trusteeship Council
The International Court of Justice
The Secretariat
-
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter X
Chapter XII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Five of these main organs are based at UN Headquarters in New York. The sixth, the
International Court of Justice, is located at The Hague in the Netherlands. The United Nations
family, however, is much larger, encompassing subsidiary organs, 15 agencies and several
programs and bodies (Chapter III, Article 7, No. 2).
The UN General Assembly
On 10 January 1946, the First
General Assembly, with the original
51 Member States represented,
opened in Central Hall, Westminster,
London, and adopted its first
resolution on 24 January 1946. Its
main focus was the peaceful use of
atomic energy and the elimination of
atomic and other weapons of mass
destruction.
The General Assembly preparing for a regular
session of its Member States.
The United Nations General Assembly holds a special place in international relations and
the current world order because all UN Member States are represented in it. The Assembly
meets in regular annual sessions and in special sessions as occasion may require. This regular
session is held from September to December. When necessary, it may resume its session, or
hold a special or emergency session on subjects of particular concern. When the Assembly is not
meeting, its work is carried out by its six main committees, other subsidiary bodies, and the UN
Secretariat. The main task of this meeting is to consider the world’s most pressing problems
within the scope of the UN Charter.
A two-thirds majority makes decisions on “important matters,” such as international
peace and security, the admission of new members, the election of the Members of the UN
organs, the UN budget, and other budgetary questions. Other matters are decided by a simple
majority. In recent years, a special effort has been made to reach decisions through consensus,
rather than by taking a formal vote. Each Member State has one vote irrespective of the number
of inhabitants, its economic power, or its political or military power. This right to vote in the
General Assembly is only restricted by the UN Charter in specific situations, for example, if the
Member State has not paid its membership fees (according to Chapter IV, Article 19).
Lesson 1 / United Nations Peacekeeping
7
In order to effectively deal with the great number of questions and problems that are
presented, the Assembly allocates most questions to its six Main Committees. The Committees
that are important for peacekeeping include the First, the Fourth and the Fifth Committee. The
six main committees3 include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
First Committee
Second Committee
Third Committee
Fourth Committee
Fifth Committee
Sixth Committee
-
Disarmament and International Security Committee
Economic and Financial Committee
Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee
Special Political and Decolonization Committee
Administrative and Budgetary Committee
Legal Committee
The UN Security Council
On 17 January 1946, the Security Council met for the first time in London and adopted
its rules of procedures. The fundamental goal of the Security Council is to ensure prompt and
effective action by the United Nations. Therefore, its Members confer on the Security Council’s
primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and agree that in
carrying out its duties under this responsibility, the Security Council acts on their behalf. The
Security Council may convene at any time, day or night, whenever peace is threatened. Under
the Charter, and mainly in accordance to Chapters V, VI and VII, all Member States are
obligated to carry out the Council’s decisions.
The Security Council consists of fifteen Council members. Five of these – China,
France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States – are permanent
members. The other ten – five Member States each year for two-year terms – are elected by the
General Assembly.
The Presidency of the Council rotates monthly in alphabetical order of its Member States.
Decisions of the Council require nine affirmative votes. Except in votes on procedural questions,
a decision cannot be taken if there is a “no” vote by a permanent member. In other words, the
decisions have to include the concurring votes of the permanent members or the unanimity of the
permanent members. This special right of the permanent members – to prevent decisions of the
Security Council – is referred to as the “veto” power.
When the Council considers a threat to international peace, it first explores ways to settle
the dispute peacefully. It may suggest principles for a settlement or undertake mediation. In
case of fighting, the Council tries to secure a cease-fire; it may send a peacekeeping mission to
help the parties maintain the truce and to keep opposing forces apart.
The Council can take measures to enforce its decisions. Also, it can impose economic
sanctions or order an arms embargo. On rare occasions, the Council has authorized Member
States to use “all necessary means,” including collective military action, to see that its decisions
are put into action.4
3
4
For further information, see http://www.un.org/ga/57/index.html.
For further information, see http://www.un.org/docs/sc.
Lesson 1 / United Nations Peacekeeping
8
The UN Secretariat
The Secretariat carries out the substantive and administrative work of the United Nations
as directed by the General Assembly, the Security Council and the other organs. The duties are
as varied as the problems dealt with by the UN.
At its head is the Secretary-General, who provides overall administrative guidance and
acts as “chief administrative officer of the Organisation.” The Secretary-General is appointed by
the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year term with
possible reelection. Apart from other tasks, like annual reports to the General Assembly, the
Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his
opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.5
The Secretariat consists of departments and offices with a total staff of about 8,900 drawn
from some 170 countries. The UN and the Secretariat are headquartered in New York and
maintain a significant presence in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva, Nairobi, Santiago,
Vienna, and in other offices all over the world.
The departments and offices at UN Headquarters in New York include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Executive Office of the Secretary-General
Office of Internal Oversight Services
Office of Legal Affairs
Department of Public Information
Department of Peacekeeping Operations
Department of Political Affairs
Department of Humanitarian Affairs
Department of Administration and Management
Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development
Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis
Department for Development Support and Management Services
EOSG
OIOS
OLA
DPI
DPKO
DPA
DHA
DAM
DPCSD
DESIPA
DDSMS
In addition to the list above, the United Nations maintain some other programmes and organs:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
5
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
United Nations Centre for Human Rights
United Nations International Drug Control Programme
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees
in the Near East
Chapter XV, Article 99 of the UN Charter.
UNHCR
UNCHR
UNDCP
UNCTAD
UNEP
UNCHS
UNRWA
Lesson 1 / United Nations Peacekeeping
9
Several Regional Commissions are also maintained by the United Nations:
•
•
•
•
•
Economic Commission for Africa
Economic Commission for Europe
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
ECA
ECE
ECLAC
ESCAP
ESCWA
The Civilian Police observer may come in contact with some of these programmes,
agencies or commissions working in connection with or as a part of the peacekeeping operation.
The more common include:
•
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in
Geneva is voluntarily financed and works to extend international protection to more than
eighteen million refugees, seeking to ensure that they receive asylum and favourable
legal status in their asylum country.
•
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in New York is voluntarily financed
and helps developing countries, at their request, to improve the quality of life of their
children through low-cost community-based services in maternal and child health,
nutrition, sanitation and education, as well as emergency relief.
•
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) in Geneva
undertakes independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly
international security issues.
•
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near
East (UNWRA) in Vienna is voluntarily financed (mainly from governments) and
provides education, training, health and relief services to Arab refugees in Jordan,
Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and the occupied territories of the West Bank and the
Gaza Strip.
•
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) in Geneva includes qualified, experienced and
motivated professionals from 120 countries sharing skills on volunteer terms.
•
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York is the world’s
largest channel for multilateral technical and pre-investment assistance to developing
countries, supporting more than 6,000 projects in some 150 countries.
The following organisational diagram outlines the overall structure of the United Nations system:
Lesson 1 / United Nations Peacekeeping
23
LESSON 1
END-OF-LESSON QUIZ
1.
When and where did the United Nations officially come into existence?
A. In 1919 following Word War I at the Treaty of Versailles;
B. In October of 1944 at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, DC;
C. On 24 October 1945 following ratification by a majority of the nations that had met
in San Francisco in June of 1945;
D. On 24 October 1949 with the laying of the cornerstone for UN Headquarters in
New York.
2.
What are the six principle organs of the United Nations?
A. General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship
Council, International Court of Justice, Secretariat;
B. General Assembly, Security Council, UNICEF, Trusteeship Council, International
Court of Justice, Secretariat;
C. General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship
Council, International Criminal Court, Secretariat;
D. General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship
Council, International Atomic Energy Administration, Secretariat.
3.
How many votes does each nation have in the General Assembly?
A. Votes in the GA are calculated based on GNP;
B. Each nation has one vote;
C. Only the permanent members may vote;
D. Votes are calculated based on population.
4.
Which principal organ carries out the substantive and administrative work of the UN?
A. The Secretariat;
B. DPKO;
C. The Secretary-General;
D. The diplomatic missions in New York.
5.
What is DPKO?
A. Department of Peacekeeping Organisation;
B. Department of Peace Organisations;
C. Division of Peace Operations;
D. Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
Lesson 1 / United Nations Peacekeeping
24
6.
Which chapter of the UN Charter addresses the Pacific Settlement of Disputes?
A. Chapter V;
B. Chapter VI;
C. Chapter VII;
D. Chapter VIII.
7.
Which of the following is the best definition of UN Peacekeeping?
A. The collective use of international military personnel to impose the will of the
permanent members of the Security Council;
B. The exercise of all aspects of diplomacy and military intervention to preserve and
enforce peace;
C. The deployment of a UN presence in the field with the consent of the parties
concerned, normally involving UN military, police, and/or civilian personnel;
D. A series of ad hoc missions, each designed to address the needs of a specific
conflict.
8.
According to the Brahimi report, the objectives of a mandate as articulated in a Security
Council Resolution should be:
A. Clear, credible, and efficient;
B. Clear, credible, and achievable;
C. Simple, credible, and achievable;
D. Clear, legal, and achievable.
9.
A peacekeeping mission is primarily a/n _______ operation.
A. Political;
B. Military;
C. Civilian police;
D. Observer.
10. Which UN office or department has the responsibility to plan, prepare, manage, and direct
all UN peacekeeping operations?
A. The Secretary-General;
B. UNHCR;
C. UNDP;
D. DPKO.
ANSWER KEY
1C, 2A, 3B, 4A, 5D, 6B, 7C, 8B, 9A, 10D