Summary and comparison of the five techniques ­ QPSK 

UNIT 2 PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS AND

ii Describe the existing instruments for the protection of older persons;

iii. Discuss the Geneva Conventions and Protocols.

3.0 MAIN BODY

3.1 The International Humanitarian Law

IHL lays down the minimum protection and standards applicable to situations where people are most vulnerable in armed conflict. It aims to prevent situations that might exacerbate vulnerabilities, such as displacement and destruction of civilian lives and property.

The IHL also demands of belligerents that they respect the distinction between combatants and noncombatants, attack only military targets and use only the degree of violence proportionate to their military requirement while still taking due care to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures. The steps to protecting civilians are:

The IHL which as earlier mentioned lays down the minimum protection and standards applicable to situations where people are most vulnerable in armed conflict and the Geneva conventions and their additional protocols.

This requires combatants to distinguish between those actively engaged in hostilities on one hand and civilians on the others (including the sick, wounded and prisoners of war) on the other. The Geneva protocol demands that civilians distinguish between civilian objects and military objectives.

3.2 Protection of Children in Conflict

Both in international and non-international armed conflicts today there is tendency towards disregard for the most fundamental humanitarian rules which many times result in discriminating and horrifying attack on the civilian population, especially children.

As one of the most vulnerable in armed conflicts children are therefore more than ever in great need of protection.

Under IHL children are entitled to the general protection for civilians in armed conflicts, but owing to their particular vulnerability they are also entitled to special protection.

International legal instruments are important tools to protect children in armed conflicts and there are several provisions in international conventions that grant children special protection adapted to their needs.

Some of the most important instruments are from the Geneva

Convention of 1949 to the optional protocol to the Convention on the Right of the Child of 2000.

3.3 Geneva Conventions and Protocols

There are several principles as the protection of a child in armed conflict; already the four Geneva Convention of 1949 and their Additional protocols of 1977 contain many children – specific provision.

Two general principles are laid down in Article 77 in Protocol 1 and in Article 4 Protocol 4. They state that:

(1) Children shall be the object of special respect and be protected against any form of indecent assault;

(2) Children shall be provided with care and aid they require;

(3) Children must be evacuated from besieged or encircled areas;

(4) Children have a right to receive care and aid by the dispatch of medicines;

(5) They have a right to the maintenance of their cultural environment to education and the preservation of family unity;

(6) It is prohibited to impose the death penalty on children under 18 years of age;

(7) If detained or internal, they must be held in quarters separate from the quarters of adults; and (8) it is prohibited to recruit children less than 15 years into the armed forces, etc.

3.4 Older Persons in Armed Conflict

Older persons are weak persons who can hardly help themselves, in armed conflict they need the help of others in order to survive. In armed conflict they are exposed to great danger like other civilians but in addition, they have vulnerabilities and needs associated with ageing that place them at greater risk. However, their special situation has been insufficiently recognized and addressed by humanitarian intervention targeted to vulnerable groups generally. More over, lack of understanding, even prejudice towards older women and old men often results in devaluation of their unique capacities and contributions and of the role they can and do play in the care of dependants, the mitigation of emergencies and the recovery of war-torn societies.

3.5 Steps taken to redress issues are

In 2001, the UN High Commission for Refugees adopted a policy on older-persons;

In 2002, the Second World Assembly on Ageing adopted specific policy commitments concerning older persons in emerging situation although much still needs to be done both in terms of making older persons visible and in ensuring that their specific needs for protection and

assistance are met. The Security Council can play an important role in mainstreaming concern for older persons.

These people are entitled to equal protection under international human rights and humanitarian law as members of the general population.

Self Assessment Exercise 1

What are the general provisions of the Geneva Conventions and Protocols as they relate to the protection of children and older persons?

4.0 CONCLUSION

The Security Council adopted an aide memoire on March 2002 (S/PRST/2002/6) as a means to facilitate its consideration of issues pertaining to protection of civilians and decided to review and update the document as appropriate. The aide memoire contains a section on vulnerable populations in general but does not contain specific reference to older persons.

In view of the fact that the international community has increasingly recognized the plight of old persons as an important emerging issue, it is recommended that the Security Council include this set of issues as en additional objective in a revision of its aide memoir.

The greater danger that occurs to the vulnerable groups in armed conflict has led the United Nations, the International Committee for Red Cross, regional organizations and many other international agencies increasingly to dedicate greater attention to protecting civilians in ongoing armed conflicts. The UN Secretary-General has called for the establishment of a culture of protection.

5.0 SUMMARY

We have examined the issue of the protection of civilians and vulnerable groups during conflicts. In doing this, we examined International Humanitarian Law on this matter and the instruments in existence for the protection of children and the aged during conflicts.

6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT

Discuss International Humanitarian Law with respect to the protection of children and older persons in armed conflicts.

7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READINGS

Fenwick Charles G., (1965) International Law, 4^th ed., New York, Appleton Century-Croft.

Freidrich Ebert Stiftung, (2002) Introduction to Conflict Reporting in Nigeria, Lagos, Frankad Publishers

ii. Distinguish between peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace building;

iii. Discuss the structural dimension to peace building;

iv. Discuss the relational dimension to peace building;

v.

3.0

Discuss the personal dimension to peace building.

MAIN BODY

3.1 Understanding Peace Building

UNIT 3 WHAT IT MEANS TO BUILD LASTING