United Nations Peace Operations: Reconsidering the Principles, Reforming the Practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 16-26
Author(s):  
A. Nikitin
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Peace Operations ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
National Coalition ◽  
Peace Enforcement ◽  
High Level ◽  
Self Defence

The article describes and debates main points and recommendations of the Report-2015 of the Independent High Level Group on the UN Peace Operations. The author analyses doctrinal innovations and practical guidelines suggested by the Group and debates consequences of the recommended “politicizing” of the UN operations (assuring the leading role for the UN in any political peace process supported by UN peacekeepers, and avoiding operations where the UN role is limited to passive disengagement of conflict sides). Necessity for and limits of reconsidering traditional principles of peacekeeping, such as impartiality, consent of conflict parties, and use of force for self-defence are questioned. Trends in UN operations are compared with trends in operations related to conflicts in the Post-Soviet space (South Ossetia/Georgia, Abkhazia/Georgia, Tajikistan, Transnistria/Moldova, etc.). The author advocates timeliness for an extended interpretation of the “defence of the mandate” formula instead of the classical “self-defence of the contingent”. It is suggested to practically erase the dividing line between operations of the “peacekeeping” type under the UN DPKO, and “political missions” under the UN Political Department. The arsenal of the UN instruments for conflict resolution must be widened from non-intrusive observation missions, conflict prevention and mediation, through support of ceasefire agreements and implementation of peace accords, down to coercive peace enforcement, offensive elements, and UN Charter Chapter VII-based collective operations against aggressive regimes and states. Poorly defined functions and insufficiently clarified use of force limits for the SC-mandated “UN Intervention Brigade” in Democratic Republic of Congo lead to unnecessary involvement of the UN into coercive actions. The experience of the UN “infrastructural hubs” establishing, like the one in Entebbe (Uganda) used for supplying eight African UN operations, is described. New technology for peacekeeping, like the use of unpiloted flying drones, opens new opportunities, but creates legal and practical problems. A distinction of functions between “blue helmets” (specially trained multinational UN contingents) and “green helmets” (regular national armies used by states in foreign conflicts) is recommended, including avoidance of counter-terrorism tasks and strong coercive tasks for the UN peacekeepers. Parallel and interfaced “partnerships” between the limited UN operations and more forceful national/coalition operations in the same areas are suggested instead.

Peace operations by proxy: implications for humanitarian action of UN peacekeeping partnerships with non-UN security forces

2013 ◽  
Vol 95 (891-892) ◽  
pp. 539-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémie Labbé ◽  
Arthur Boutellis
Keyword(s):  
Use Of Force ◽  
Peace Operations ◽  
Due Diligence ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Humanitarian Action ◽  
Un Peacekeeping ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Peace Enforcement ◽  
Peacekeeping Missions ◽  
Human Rights Due Diligence

AbstractMandates of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions increasingly include stabilisation and peace enforcement components, which imply a proactive use of force often carried out by national, regional or multinational non-UN partners, operating either in support of or with the support of the UN, acting as ‘proxies’. This article analyses the legal, policy and perception/security implications of different types of ‘peace operations by proxy’ and the additional challenges that such operations create for humanitarian action. It suggests some mitigating measures, including opportunities offered by the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, for a more coherent approach to the protection of civilians, but also acknowledges some of the limitations to an independent UN-led humanitarian action.

Challenge or Confi rmation? The Role of the Swedish Parliament in the Decision-making on the Use of Force

2011 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inger Österdahl
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Peace Operations ◽  
Democratic Accountability ◽  
International Peace ◽  
Strong Position ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Cold War ◽  
Self Defence

AbstractThe Swedish parliament has a strong position in the decision-making on the international use of force. Still, its role is affected by the rapid internationalization of the Swedish defence. More and quicker decisions have to be taken on Swedish contributions to international peace operations. The origin of the decisions of the Swedish parliament, moreover, can be traced to international decision-making bodies on which the Swedish parliament and sometimes even the Swedish government have no influence at all. Parliament is conscious of its important role and looks after its interests in the domestic decision-making context. Sometimes it challenges the government on specific issues relating to the operations, but in the end parliament always tend to agree and unanimously as well. This article studies the involvement of the Swedish parliament in the decision-making on the contribution of armed troops to international peace operations since the end of the Cold War. The article gives particular attention to the use – or not – of the law delegating the decision-making power over troop contributions entirely to the government. The issue of self-defence against armed attacks on the Realm is also taken up and the potential impact of an expanded notion of self-defence on the decision-making role of parliament. Concerns of democratic accountability form the background to the reasoning in its entirety.

The Chatham House Principles of International Law on the Use of Force in Self-Defence

2006 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 963-972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Wilmshurst
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Secretary General ◽  
Weapons Of Mass Destruction ◽  
Military Force ◽  
Mass Destruction ◽  
The Right ◽  
High Level ◽  
Clear Statement ◽  
Self Defence

There are few more controversial questions in international law than the proper limits of the right of self-defence. The rules are being challenged in the light of what are seen as new threats from terrorism and from the possession of weapons of mass destruction. The UN High-level Panel, in its report to the Secretary-General of 2004, concluded that in all cases relating to decisions to use military force ‘we believe that the Charter of the United Nations, properly understood and applied, is equal to the task’.4 The Principles that follow are intended to provide a clear statement of the rules of international law ‘properly understood’ governing the use of force by states in self-defence.

scholarly journals A Blurring of Roles: Use of Force in UN Peacekeeping

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria do Ceu Pinto Arena
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
The Other ◽  
Peace Operations ◽  
Peacekeeping Operations ◽  
Hybrid Nature ◽  
Un Peacekeeping ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
Self Defence ◽  
Emerging Pattern

There is a sober paradox involved in the use of oxymoron ‘peace operations’, as these operations, traditionallyanchored on the bedrock principles of UN peacekeeping - consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force exceptin self-defence -, are being increasingly transformed into enforcement operations. Twenty-seven years after the end of theCold War and the rebirth of the United Nations’ (UN) security role, peacekeeping operations are increasingly losing groundto an emerging pattern of more aggressive, offensive operations. They have an essentially hybrid nature, involving elementsof both peacekeeping and enforcement. Although many see them as alternative, non-reconcilable techniques, politicians andpractitioners do not see a sharp dividing line separating non-coercive and enforcement tasks, permitting an easy transitionfrom one to the other.

Unintended Consequences of the Primacy of Politics in UN Peace Operations

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-276
Author(s):  
Troels Gauslå Engell ◽  
Katja Lindskov Jacobsen
Keyword(s):  
Use Of Force ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Peace Operations ◽  
Political Role ◽  
Peacekeeping Operations ◽  
Independent Panel ◽  
High Level

Abstract The trend towards a more robust use of force in UN peacekeeping operations has received considerable attention from scholars pointing to the risk of unintended consequences. Since the report of the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, the primacy of politics is expected from all UN peace operations. The unintended consequences stemming from this primacy of politics has received considerably less attention, especially in the context of the UN’s political missions. Through an analysis of the UN’s engagement with the crisis in Burundi in 2015–2016, the article shows how the UN’s political role was implemented in a specific case. The case demonstrates that unintended consequences from the primacy of politics have overlaps with those related to robust peacekeeping, but also differ on important aspects.

Characterization of RF Sputtered ZnO Piezoelectric Films Using Transmission Electron Microscope

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 86-87
Author(s):  
Kemining W. Yeh ◽  
Richard S. Muller ◽  
Wei-Kuo Wu ◽  
Jack Washburn
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Surface Acoustic Waves ◽  
Electromechanical Properties ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Saw Devices ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
High Degree

Considerable and continuing interest has been shown in the thin film transducer fabrication for surface acoustic waves (SAW) in the past few years. Due to the high degree of miniaturization, compatibility with silicon integrated circuit technology, simplicity and ease of design, this new technology has played an important role in the design of new devices for communications and signal processing. Among the commonly used piezoelectric thin films, ZnO generally yields superior electromechanical properties and is expected to play a leading role in the development of SAW devices.

Offensive Use of Force in Peace Operations: The Force Intervention Brigade

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Menent Savas Cazala
Keyword(s):  
Host Country ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Armed Force ◽  
Peace Operations ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

This study focuses on the establishment of the force intervention brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an offensive armed force into the equation of peacekeeping and on the paradox related to legal, military and political issues. Introducing an overtly offensive combat force will confront controversial implications for UN peacekeeping’s basic principles regarding the use of force, consent of the host country and impartiality. The intervention brigade changed unprecedentedly the boundaries of peacekeeping while creating an environment of hesitation and reluctance in spite of successful actions and its renewed mandate since 2013.

Offensive Use of Force in Peace Operations: The Force Intervention Brigade

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Menent Savas Cazala
Keyword(s):  
Host Country ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Armed Force ◽  
Peace Operations ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

This study focuses on the establishment of the force intervention brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an offensive armed force into the equation of peacekeeping and on the paradox related to legal, military and political issues. Introducing an overtly offensive combat force will confront controversial implications for UN peacekeeping’s basic principles regarding the use of force, consent of the host country and impartiality. The intervention brigade changed unprecedentedly the boundaries of peacekeeping while creating an environment of hesitation and reluctance in spite of successful actions and its renewed mandate since 2013.

scholarly journals Human Hand Anatomy-Based Prosthetic Hand

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Larisa Dunai ◽  
Martin Novak ◽  
Carmen García Espert
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Hand Movements ◽  
Human Hand ◽  
Prosthetic Hand ◽  
Object Surface ◽  
Hand Phalanges ◽  
High Level

The present paper describes the development of a prosthetic hand based on human hand anatomy. The hand phalanges are printed with 3D printing with Polylactic Acid material. One of the main contributions is the investigation on the prosthetic hand joins; the proposed design enables one to create personalized joins that provide the prosthetic hand a high level of movement by increasing the degrees of freedom of the fingers. Moreover, the driven wire tendons show a progressive grasping movement, being the friction of the tendons with the phalanges very low. Another important point is the use of force sensitive resistors (FSR) for simulating the hand touch pressure. These are used for the grasping stop simulating touch pressure of the fingers. Surface Electromyogram (EMG) sensors allow the user to control the prosthetic hand-grasping start. Their use may provide the prosthetic hand the possibility of the classification of the hand movements. The practical results included in the paper prove the importance of the soft joins for the object manipulation and to get adapted to the object surface. Finally, the force sensitive sensors allow the prosthesis to actuate more naturally by adding conditions and classifications to the Electromyogram sensor.

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