Draft Revised Guidelines on the Protection of Civilians in CSDP Missions and Operations

This document contains the latest EU guidelines on the protection of civilians (PoC) in CSDP missions and operations, thereby superseding the 2003 draft Guidelines on the Protection of Civilians in EU-led Crisis Management Operations. It defines PoC as “all activities aimed at obtaining full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law”.

The EU guidelines have been elaborated on the basis of related guidelines by actors such as the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other organisations. Their implementation is a responsibility shared between the mission and all relevant international and local organisations in any given context.

The PoC should be included in the early planning of CSDP missions and operations, by answering questions such as "What are the threats to the civilian population? Where are the gaps in the PoC in the region that the CSDP mission could cover with its mandate? How to carry out identified PoC tasks in the different crisis management concepts?". In the operational planning, the tasks and necessary resources to address the PoC concerns should be identified. Finally, in the conduct of operations, PoC should be a distinct area of training, reporting, and lessons identifying processes.

In 2015 a Concept on Protection of Civilians (PoC) in EU-led Military Operations has been issued to precise the application of the 2010 guidelines for EU military operations:.

Reference: Council of the European Union (2010). Draft Revised Guidelines on the Protection of Civilians in CSDP Missions and Operations.

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