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Protection of civilians

Armed conflict often has devastating effects on civilians, whether as the direct victims of death, injury, rape and forcible displacement or as indirect victims through conflict-induced increases in disease, hunger and malnutrition. Under international humanitarian law (IHL), parties to armed conflicts must take a broad range of measures to protect civilians from the effects of military operations, yet these rules are often inadequately implemented or deliberately violated by parties on the ground.

Norway is actively engaged in a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving the protection of civilians during armed conflict, including in efforts to strengthen the implementation of and respect for IHL, prevent sexual violence in war and promote “humanitarian disarmament” (e.g. the elimination of anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions). NOREF aims to support such efforts by preparing analysis, organizing events and providing assistance to specific initiatives or processes.

La protection de la population civile au titre du droit international humanitaire: tendances et difficultés: Camilla Waszink 1 April 2012
Le présent article examine les difficultés qui se posent en vue d’assurer une protection adéquate aux civils en période de conflit armé, conformément au droit internat... more
The UN Mission in South Sudan and its civilian protection strategy: an early assessment: Jort Hemmer 8 February 2013
Eighteen months on from the formation of the UN Mission to the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), this policy brief looks into the mission and its performance to date.... more
The civil defence-civilian protection nexus in the Occupied Palestinian Territory: $Prohibited land, Bil\'in 16.11.12 by Yossi Gurvitz under cc license on Flickr$ Riina Isotalo 21 January 2013
Findings show that international support to Palestinian civilians’ safety is divided along the lines of civilian protection and civil defence. There are also striking... more
Emerging powers and the protection of civilians: 13 December 2012
This series gathers six policy briefs on the emerging powers' approach to the protection of civilians under international humanitarian law. In some cases there is a ga... more
Civilian protection in Russia: legal issues and political interpretations: Andrey Makarychev 12 December 2012
Russia’s problems with the implementation of IHL reflect a wider set of problems with the country’s deficient political system, including the lack of parliamentary con... more
Turkey’s position on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts: E. Fuat Keyman 11 December 2012
Internationally, Turkey is firmly committed to the protection of civilians in conflict-affected areas and to international humanitarian law. However, the domestic trac... more
The Organisation of Islamic Co-operation’s position on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts: Ishtiaq Ahmad 11 December 2012
The protection of civilian Muslim populations in armed conflicts has been a consistent concern of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC). However, until the er... more
India’s approach to the protection of civilians in armed conflicts: C. S. R. Murthy 15 November 2012
India’s approach to the issue of protecting civilians during armed conflicts is built on legal, ethical, political and policy considerations. India condemns the use of... more