PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. The United Nations Organization embodies the aspirations of all peoples of the world for peace. In this context, the United Nations Charter requires that all personnel must maintain the highest standards of integrity and conduct. The standards summarized below reflect the standards included in various official issuances of the United Nations, in particular the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. All participants in a peacekeeping operation must accept special constraints in their public and private lives in order to do the work and pursue the ideals of the United Nations Organization.

 

2. Standards of conduct and effective performance of peacekeeping duties are fundamental to the success of the military component of a United Nations operation. The principles that govern these aspects are a matter of order and discipline and commanders at all levels bear responsibility for the conduct and performance of individuals under their command.

 

3. Commanders play a pivotal role in:

 

a. Establishing the competencies and responsibilities of subordinates;

 

b. Assuring that subordinates are aware of their obligations and that t they respect them;

 

c. Assuring that violations cease, are thoroughly investigated and that

disciplinary action is taken; and

 

d. Training their subordinates in their responsibilities as an ongoing

part of routine training.

 

4. The Chief of Mission has the overall authority to take appropriate administrative measures where failure to comply with the guidelines is encountered. This authority may be delegated to senior staff of the UN mission. Commanders of the military and police components will require that national contingent or team commanders exercise responsibility in this respect for their respective national personnel

 

5. Commanders must:

 

a. Ensure compliance with the guidelines on International Humanitarian Law for Forces Undertaking United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. This will take into account the nature of the UN forces, their powers, competencies and mandate;

 

b. Ensures that the Rules of Engagement and standards of conduct are consistent. The use of force and in particular, the use of weapons and their relationship to standards of conduct must be clearly established.

 

c. Enforce standards for Human Rights from the applicable sections of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

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d. Ensure that all personnel comply with the standards established for the conduct of UN peacekeepers;

 

e. Ensure that subordinates recognize the needs and interests of the host country and its people and act in accordance with the principles of strict impartiality, integrity, independence and tact;

 

f. Establish a clear chain of command to ensure that inappropriate conduct and activities are acted upon. This requires a clear linkage of the Nations responsibilities for discipline and the prerogatives of the UN commander to ensure appropriate follow-up of incidents;

 

g. Monitor and investigate all incidents of illegal activities and apply appropriate remedial action;

 

h. Ensure that all personnel understand the mandate and mission assigned by the Security Council and that they comply with their provision;

 

i. Confirm that extensive and effective pre-service briefings and training have developed an understanding of local customs and practices and respect for the culture, religion, traditions and the gender issues prevalent in the host nation.

 

j. Ensure respect for local laws, customs and practices where there are not in conflict with mandated activities and the privileges, benefits or immunities negotiated and incorporated in the Status of Forces Agreement; and

 

k. Ensure that subordinates respect, manage and care for all material and goods supplied by the United Nations (radios, vehicles and equipment).

 

6. Commanders must take immediate action where:

 

a. Exploitation of the weak, particularly women and children, either through position of financial status has taken place;

 

b. Excessive consumption of alcohol, the use of traffic in drugs has occurred; and

 

c. Participation in criminal or illegal activities, such as black marketing or currency speculation, is detected.

 

7. Commanders must also ensure that mission personnel neither seek nor receive instructions relating to the performance of their duties from any unauthorized external source. Therefore, legitimate communications with National authorities and with the media must be within clearly established guidelines to avoid conflicts.

 

8. A clear mechanism must be established for dealing with complaints against United Nations personnel at the United Nations and National level. This must include a well-defined process for reporting, investigating and follow-up action.

 

Annex G

Guidelines for Military Observers

Example of a Note Verbale initiated by United Nations Headquarters for Initial Deployment of Military Observers

 

 

DPKO/MILAD/

 

 

The Secretariat of the United Nations presents its compliments to the Permanent Mission of [country’s name ] to the United Nations and has the honour to refer to your Government’s contribution of Military Personnel to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in [ Mission’s name ] (Mission’s acronym).

The Secretariat has the honour to invite the Government of [country’s name ] to nominate [ number of United Nations Military Observers being requested ] suitably qualified officers, as mentioned below, — who are also proficient in written and spoken English (the language of the Mission) — to perform the task of United Nations military observers (UN United Nations Military Observers).

- Colonel One

- Lieutenant-Colonel One

- Major Two

 

The Secretariat should be grateful if the Government of [country’s name ] could provide the names and the particulars of the nominated personnel by [date]. These officers are expected to serve for a period of one year [ or 00 months, if Mission’s initial mandate is less than one year ] and should be prepared to move to the Mission area from [date]. The movement details will be co-ordinated between the Permanent Mission of [country’s name ] and the Secretariat.

 

The Secretariat avails itself of this opportunity to express its appreciation to the Permanent Mission of [country’s name ] to the United Nations for the continued support of the Government of [country’s name ] to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and to renew the assurances of its highest consideration.

[ Date ]

 

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Annex H

Guidelines for Military Observers

Example of a Permanent Mission’s Reply for Initial Deployment of

the Military Observers

 

[Permanent Mission letterhead]

[Military Adviser]

Department Peacekeeping Operations

United Nations

New York

 

 

Subject: Military Observer for [ Name of United Nations Mission ]

 

Reference: Your fax/letter DPKO/MD [ No. ] of[ date ]

 

 

1. I wish to inform you that the (country] authorities have nominated the following military observers to be deployed in [name of United Nations Mission].

 

[Ranks, names, passport numbers and dates of birth of nominated United Nations Military Observers ]

 

2. Please find enclosed their (or his/her) curriculum vitae, medical documentation, certifying his/her fitness for United Nations service and his/her completed personal data for the travel itinerary form (S). They (he/she) are (is) ready to travel on [date] and it would be appreciated if the necessary travel arrangements could be made as soon as possible.

 

3. Regards.

Annex I

Guidelines for Military Observers