The United Nations’ Role in Protecting Civilians During Armed Conflicts

When armed conflict erupts, civilians often bear the heaviest burden. Caught between warring parties, they face threats ranging from direct attacks to starvation, displacement, and the destruction of essential infrastructure. The United Nations has positioned itself at the forefront of efforts to shield these vulnerable populations from the devastating effects of war. Through peacekeeping missions, humanitarian interventions, and advocacy for international humanitarian law, the UN works to ensure that the most fundamental human rights are respected even in the chaos of conflict.

The framework for civilian protection 🔗

The protection of civilians in armed conflict rests on a robust legal foundation. International humanitarian law establishes clear rules governing how parties to a conflict must treat non-combatants. The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols form the cornerstone of this framework, prohibiting attacks on civilians and requiring all parties to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.

Despite these well-established rules, compliance remains a critical challenge. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the world is failing to live up to its commitments to protect civilians, noting that international humanitarian law represents the difference between life and death, between restraint and anarchy.

The number of non-international armed conflicts has more than tripled over the past twenty years, rising from fewer than thirty to over ninety. Many of these are protracted conflicts that bring relentless suffering compounded by climate shocks, food insecurity, and economic hardship.

UN peacekeeping missions and protection mandates 🔗

UN peacekeeping operations represent one of the most visible and direct forms of civilian protection. Starting with the UN Mission in Sierra Leone, sixteen peacekeeping missions have been mandated to protect civilians, with five currently deployed in conflict zones including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Lebanon, and Abyei.

These missions operate on several levels. Peacekeepers provide physical protection through protective presence and active patrolling, deterring attacks on civilians through their deployment. They engage in dialogue and advocacy with parties to the conflict and affected communities, supporting reconciliation efforts, peace agreements, and the resolution of local conflicts.

The protection of civilians mandate requires a comprehensive approach. According to UN policy, this is a whole-of-mission activity involving civilian, police, and military components working in coordination. In many cases, peacekeeping missions are authorized to use all necessary means, up to and including deadly force, to prevent or respond to threats against civilians.

However, challenges persist. UN missions have sometimes failed to prevent or respond to threats despite being aware of risks or receiving adequate warning of attacks. This has led to calls for stronger accountability mechanisms and better performance standards for peacekeepers.

The challenge of engaging non-state armed groups 🔗

One of the most complex aspects of protecting civilians involves ensuring compliance by non-state armed groups. Unlike states, these groups often lack formal structures, may not have participated in creating international law, and may feel they are not bound by rules they had no part in developing.

Non-state armed groups vary enormously in their organization, from highly centralized forces with clear command structures to decentralized factions with limited coordination. Their lack of knowledge about international law, absence of incentives to comply, fragmented structures, and limited capacity to implement humanitarian law all contribute to compliance challenges.

Some humanitarian organizations have adopted innovative approaches to address these difficulties. Organizations like Geneva Call work directly with armed groups to persuade them to respect humanitarian norms through engagement and dialogue. Special agreements under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions encourage parties to non-international armed conflicts to bring provisions applicable to international conflicts into force.

Building ownership and compliance 🔗

Experience suggests that when armed groups feel a sense of ownership over international norms, compliance improves. Some groups have entered into agreements with international organizations and states accepting certain humanitarian law obligations. Truth and reconciliation commissions have also requested compliance from unsuccessful insurgencies, as seen in Guatemala’s Commission for Historical Clarification.

Ensuring humanitarian access 🔗

Delivering aid to civilians in conflict zones requires overcoming numerous barriers. Between December 2024 and May 2025, humanitarian access continued to be challenged by physical constraints such as damaged infrastructure, violence affecting services, movement restrictions, and bureaucratic impediments.

Denial of humanitarian access has shifted from being an unintended consequence of conflict to a deliberate weapon used for political or military gain. In Afghanistan, the Taliban has banned organizations from working in crucial areas. In Yemen, severe movement constraints and restrictions on imports have left millions facing famine. These barriers manifest differently across contexts but share a common thread of deliberate obstruction.

The legal framework is clear. International humanitarian law obligates parties to allow humanitarian services for individuals not actively participating in hostilities. The Fourth Geneva Convention mandates free passage of essential goods to civilians in occupied territories.

Yet implementation remains problematic. The UN documented nearly 4,000 verified instances of denial of humanitarian access in 2022, with data suggesting a shocking increase in subsequent years. Most denials were by government forces, with the highest figures in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Mali.

Navigating bureaucratic barriers 🔗

Bureaucratic and administrative impediments have become major barriers, especially in politically fragmented environments. Governments and non-state actors often use these measures deliberately to control humanitarian operations. Conflicting demands from different authorities create legal uncertainty and stall operations.

Accountability for violations 🔗

Protection efforts mean little without accountability when violations occur. The international framework created to protect civilians is itself under attack, with many speakers at recent Security Council debates stressing that civilians will continue to suffer if existing laws are not enforced.

In 2024, the UN recorded more than 36,000 civilian deaths in fourteen armed conflicts, with the real number likely far higher. Impunity has pushed the international accountability system to the breaking point. When perpetrators face no consequences, they receive a signal that violations will be tolerated.

Security Council Resolution 2436 of 2018 recognized the need for a comprehensive performance policy framework with clear standards for evaluating peacekeeping personnel. This should include benchmarks to ensure accountability for underperformance and measures for performance accountability including withholding of reimbursement and repatriation of units when necessary.

States must investigate alleged war crimes and prosecute perpetrators. The International Criminal Court plays a crucial role, though its effectiveness depends on state cooperation. Countries that export weapons should refuse to do business with parties that fail to comply with international humanitarian law.

Protecting civilians in modern warfare 🔗

Contemporary armed conflicts present unique challenges. Urban warfare has become increasingly common, with heavy explosive weapons used in populated areas causing devastating harm to civilians and critical infrastructure. When essential services like water, electricity, and healthcare are disrupted, the consequences extend far beyond immediate casualties.

Conflict-induced hunger represents another critical concern. More than 117 million people faced acute hunger in 2022, primarily because of war and insecurity. Armed conflicts destroy crops, contaminate fertile land with explosives, disrupt markets, and cause prices to soar. When combined with climate change, the results can be catastrophic.

The UN’s approach recognizes that protecting civilians requires addressing multiple dimensions simultaneously. This includes physical protection, provision of humanitarian assistance, support for the rule of law, and efforts to create a protective environment where violations are less likely to occur.

The path forward 🔗

Strengthening civilian protection requires action on multiple fronts. Prevention must be prioritized, as the best form of protection is avoiding conflict altogether. Where conflicts occur, all parties must comply with international humanitarian law, and the international community must ensure that violations do not go unpunished.

Humanitarian access must be guaranteed through the removal of bureaucratic barriers and the protection of humanitarian workers. More than 100 million people have been forcibly displaced, and ensuring they receive assistance requires sustained political will and adequate resources.

The UN’s peacekeeping missions need appropriate mandates, resources, and support to fulfill their protection responsibilities. Performance standards must be maintained, with accountability for both outstanding achievements and failures to protect civilians.

Engagement with non-state armed groups, while politically sensitive, remains essential for improving compliance in many conflicts. Building their understanding of and commitment to humanitarian norms can save civilian lives.

What do you think? How can the international community better balance the need to engage with all parties to a conflict while maintaining accountability for violations? What role should regional organizations play in supporting UN efforts to protect civilians in armed conflicts?

References

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20. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/action-peacekeeping