Strengthening the role of the Security Council and addressing the protection gap

Much has been said regarding raising the profile of protection but not much has been done in order to strengthen the actual protection of civilians. Protection of civilians must be approached in a holistic manner, with the Security Council being a guarantor of protection – not a part of the problem. Part of the gap between the rhetoric and the reality of protection of civilians stems from the fact that it has been treated more as an activity than as an outcome. There is a knee-jerk response to protection of civilians through deployment of peacekeepers or engagement of the military in areas of conflict, often without engagement and participation of the very people we are trying to protect.

Double standards

We have witnessed double standards in dealing with protection issues, as reflected in the Security Council’s failure to outline and execute a clear guidance on protection mandates to date. Focusing in practice on security, while important, has resulted in the violations of the international humanitarian law on many fronts. Even peacekeeping, and even when explicitly including protection of civilians in the mandates of peacekeeping operations, has not achieved much other than a mere “presence” of peacekeepers in conflict zones. Selective and unilateral approaches to violations of international humanitarian law must stop. We have witnessed violations without any punishable consequences or perpetrators being held to account.

There is also a need for impartiality when dealing with protection of civilians – something we have not consistently observed over the years. The militarization of aid has put protection of civilians on the line and the Security Council needs to find lasting solutions in dealing with security, terrorism, and humanitarian action instead of blurring the lines between humanitarian and military action.

Many humanitarian agencies have dissociated themselves from anything that can be seen as political – this has left them ill-prepared to deal with the political landscape that we are currently facing as it relates to the protection of civilians.

Dealing with the "wolf in a sheepskin"

The protection lens is layered in terms of the needs of the people we are trying to protect. In unpacking protection initiatives there is a need to ensure the dignity and self-esteem of the people we are trying to protect.

At times the very people meant to protect civilians turn out to be people we need to protect civilians from, as some look to exploit women or the most vulnerable. A number of acts of violence and coercion against women and girls are committed by peacekeepers, UN staff, government staff, and humanitarian workers. Nevertheless, not much or no attention is paid to this aspect in relation to the protection of civilians.

We need to deal with this issue of sending a “wolf in a sheepskin” to do protection work. We need to engage and make our mandates known to the people we are trying to protect so that they can hold us to account.

About the author
Rhodes Ndlovu is currently Food Security & Livelihood Advisor at CARE International in South Sudan and has been working in the humanitarian sector since 2002.