#ProtectionofCivilians

[thxnews]

Attorney General's West Bank Mission for Peace and Law

Bridging Divides

The recent visit of Attorney General Victoria Prentis KC MP to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories marks a significant diplomatic effort aimed at addressing the complexities of the Mideast conflict. Spanning from February 14 to 16, 2024, this journey underscored the UK's commitment to fostering peace, understanding, and adherence to International Humanitarian Law.  

A Journey Through Conflict Zones

Witnessing the Impact of Terror In Southern Israel, particularly near the Gaza Strip, Prentis visited Kfar Aza Kibbutz, witnessing the aftermath of terror attacks. This visit provided a stark insight into the suffering endured by communities due to Hamas' violent acts. Her engagements also included meaningful discussions with Israeli legal and judicial officials, highlighting the shared challenges and responsibilities in combating terrorism and ensuring justice.   Engagements with Israeli Leaders Meetings with the Israeli Attorney General and the President of the Supreme Court offered platforms for dialogues on legal challenges, defense mechanisms, and the rule of law in times of conflict. These interactions emphasized the importance of legal frameworks in safeguarding peace and security.   Insights from the Occupied Territories The second day of the visit took Prentis to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where the harsh realities of illegal settlements and their effects on Palestinian communities were evident. Conversations with the Palestinian Attorney General and the Prime Minister focused on the critical need for humanitarian aid and respect for legal standards.   Observations in the West Bank A visit to a Bedouin village in the West Bank laid bare the difficulties faced by villagers, from settler violence to restrictions on access to essential services. These observations reinforced the UK's call for stronger actions against illegal settlements and violence.  

Advocating for Humanitarian Law and Civility

A Call for Compliance and Protection Throughout her visit, Prentis stressed the imperative of adhering to International Humanitarian Law, protecting civilians, and ensuring the humane treatment of detainees. Her message was clear: both sides must engage in efforts to minimize suffering and respect legal norms.   UK's Stance on Humanitarian Assistance In light of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Attorney General advocated for expedited aid delivery and addressed the UK's position on providing support to those in need. Her visit highlighted the urgent requirement for international cooperation to alleviate human suffering.  

Towards a Future of Peace and Justice

Attorney General Victoria Prentis's visit to the Mideast represents a pivotal moment in the UK's diplomatic engagement with the region. By advocating for International Humanitarian Law, addressing the impacts of illegal settlements, and calling for enhanced humanitarian efforts, Prentis has underscored the UK's dedication to fostering peace, security, and legal adherence amidst the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This visit not only shines a light on the urgent issues at hand but also reaffirms the UK's role as a proponent of justice and human rights on the international stage.   Sources: THX News, Attorney General's Office & The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis KC MP. Read the full article

[unpeacekeeping]

20 Years of Prioritizing the Protection of Civilians

“There should be no mistake. Promoting the protection of civilians in armed conflict is no sideshow to the [Security] Council’s mandate for ensuring international peace and security; it is central to it. The ultimate aim of the Council’s work is to safeguard the security of the world’s people, not just the States in which they live. Clearly, faced with the disproportionate toll that modern conflict takes on civilians, the protection of individuals should be a primary consideration in the Council’s activities.”

Read the story on: https://medium.com/unpeacekeeping/20-years-of-prioritizing-the-protection-of-civilians-90a2471399ca

[unmissmedia]

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Favorite tweets

UN Sec Gen reiterates call for parties to conflict to avoid use of explosive weapons in populated areas and for States to develop political declaration. Report at: https://t.co/MGranP9ISj #EWIPA #POC20 #protectionofcivilians pic.twitter.com/WTZSSna1cl

— Simon Bagshaw (@simonbagshaw) May 10, 2019

from http://twitter.com/simonbagshaw via IFTTT

[thxnews]

US-Israel Defense Talks Focus on Regional Stability

Readout of Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Sasha Baker and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Dr. William A. LaPlante's Meeting With Israeli Ministry of Defense Director General Eyal Zamir  

Strengthening U.S.-Israel Defense Ties

High-Level Pentagon Meeting In a significant meeting at the Pentagon on January 24, key U.S. defense leaders, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Sasha Baker and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment Dr. William A. LaPlante, met with Israeli Ministry of Defense Director General Eyal Zamir. This encounter underlined the robust U.S.-Israel defense relationship and their shared strategic priorities.   Reaffirming U.S. Commitment to Israel's Security The discussions reaffirmed the United States' unwavering commitment to Israel's security. The leaders explored various aspects of defense cooperation, reflecting a deep and enduring partnership between the two nations.  

Addressing the Humanitarian Situation in Gaza

Focusing on Civilian Protection A critical part of the dialogue involved the situation in Gaza. A/USDP Baker and DG Zamir reviewed Israel's targeted operations while emphasizing the need to protect civilians and ensure the provision of increased humanitarian assistance. This approach underscores the importance of balancing military actions with the well-being of civilian populations.   The Dire Situation of Children in Gaza The meeting also highlighted the alarming conditions facing children in Gaza. Nearly 20,000 babies have been born into the conflict's recent escalation, facing immense challenges. UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban's visit to Gaza brought attention to the children's lack of basic necessities and the constant fear and trauma they endure.  

Addressing Regional Security and Tensions

Tackling Destabilizing Activities A/USDP Baker and DG Zamir exchanged views on escalating regional tensions, particularly the destabilizing activities of Lebanese Hizballah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. The leaders agreed on the critical importance of preventing regional escalation, showcasing a joint commitment to maintaining stability in the Middle East.   Collaborative Approach to Middle East Security The meeting highlighted the need for a cooperative approach to address security challenges in the Middle East. This involves not only military strategies but also diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to ensure long-term regional stability.  

The Impact of the Gaza Conflict

Humanitarian Crisis and Response The discussions acknowledged the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with reports from UNICEF and other organizations emphasizing the urgent need for action. Furthermore, there are severe limitations in essential services like healthcare, water, and sanitation, which are compounded by the ongoing conflict.   Balancing Perspectives In addressing the Gaza situation, it's crucial to maintain a balanced perspective. This includes considering the complex historical context and different narratives. Moreover, the meeting underscored the importance of fact-based discussions and the inclusion of various stakeholders' viewpoints. This includes humanitarian organizations and human rights groups.  

In Conclusion

The Pentagon meeting between U.S. and Israeli defense leaders marked a significant step in reinforcing the U.S.-Israel defense relationship and addressing pressing regional issues. The talks emphasized the U.S. commitment to Israel's security, the need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza, and strategies to tackle regional tensions. This meeting illustrates the continued collaboration and joint efforts to ensure stability and security in the Middle East, while being mindful of the humanitarian challenges, especially in conflict zones like Gaza.   Sources: THX News & US Department of Defense. Read the full article

[unpeacekeeping]

Protection of Civilians: a critical task for UN Peacekeeping

More than 95 percent of our peacekeepers are currently deployed in 10 missions with a mandate to protect civilians.

Protecting civilians is one of the most pivotal and visible tasks in UN Peacekeeping, and often the yardstick by which our peacekeepers are judged.

But what does this really mean in practice?

There are three main activities by which we are protecting civilians: dialogue and engagement; physical protection; and creating a secure environment.

Though armed protection is often the most visible of these, our missions are actively engaged in unarmed protection strategies, such as engagement with local communities, the host government and regional partners, as well as coordinating with the entire UN system and partners such as UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, United Nations OCHA and United Nations Human Rights that have protection responsibilities.

Protecting civilians remains at the top of the peacekeeping agenda. Peacekeeping troops must be ready, willing and able to use all necessary means – up to and including the use of deadly force to prevent, pre-empt and respond to threats to civilians.

This is going to be one of the main topics of discussion at the second Chiefs of Defence conference this week where more than 100 top military officials from troop contributing countries are gathering in New York.

To learn more about the protection of civilians mandate in UN Peacekeeping, please go here:

http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/issues/civilian.shtml

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Favorite tweets

Positive examples of respect for IHL rarely make the headlines. Our project #IHLinAction collects evidence-based examples of respect for the law by parties to the conflict. #UNSC #ProtectionofCivilians @YDaccordICRChttps://t.co/hMQqpVRdjO

— Helen Durham (@HADurhamICRC) May 22, 2018

from http://twitter.com/HADurhamICRC via IFTTT

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Favorite tweets

My new paper on Reframing the #ProtectionofCivilians Paradigm for UN #peaceops https://t.co/YFwdsjMUj7 via @ipinst

— Namie Di Razza (@NamieDiRazza) November 30, 2017

from http://twitter.com/NamieDiRazza via IFTTT