CoESPU Magazine nr. 1-2018

In this modern era, new security challenges exist within a wider global context of rapid technological change, significant demographic shift, uncertain economy, and geostrategic power dynamics of historic proportion. These conditions intensify the level of uncertainty and the pace of change, and raise the potential for significant interstate conflicts to higher levels than at any time since the end of the Cold War. Peace Operations have proven to be one of the most effective tools available to assist host countries for navigating the difficult path from conflict to peace. The current multidimensional peace operations are called upon not only to maintain peace and security, but also to facilitate political processes, protect civilians, assist in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; support constitutional processes and the organization of elections, protect and promote human rights and assist in restoring the rule of law and extending legitimate state authority. Where crises situation are out of control, statistically there is a proliferation of crimes against civilians, with the risk of international crimes.

The prevention and repression of serious violations is essential for ensuring respect for human rights,  particularly in view of the gravity of certain offences, qualified as war crimes, which are in the interest of the  international community as a whole to punish. In this regard, we believe Peace Operations can play an important role. This concept is the focus of the on-going global reform in the UN peace and security  architecture, in the UN management system and structures, as well as in the UN development system.

The current UN reform of Peace Operations has the overall objective of reducing fragmentation for better course of action, to make the peace and security pillar more coherent, nimble and effective by prioritizing prevention, sustaining peace and delivery on Agenda 2030.

Nevertheless, since the adoption of the Responsibility to Protect as a “Peace Concept” in 2005, an increasing number of United Nations Security Council resolutions have called upon peace operators to protect civilians, specifically from the risk of international crimes. Moreover, the political complexity facing Peace Operations and the scope of their mandates, including on the civilian side, remain very broad. There are strong indications that certain specialized capabilities – including Police – will be in especially high demand over the coming years. Indeed, accountability, respect for diversity, professionalism, and zero tolerance for misconducts are core values in every modern multidimensional UN mission.

Against this background, in this first issue of our journal we have tried to present new subject areas along the lines of the above mentioned statements. Hoping that our efforts will match your expectations, I welcome you to discover all the news mentioned inside this CoESPU Magazine new edition.