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What is peacekeeping?
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/operations/peacekeeping.shtml
Peacekeeping is flexible and over the past two decades has been deployed in many
configurations. There are currently 16 UN peacekeeping operations deployed on four
continents.
Today's multidimensional peacekeeping operations are called upon not only to maintain
peace and security, but also to facilitate the political process, protect civilians, assist in
the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; support the
organization of elections, protect and promote human rights and assist in restoring
the rule of law.
Principles of UN peacekeeping
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/operations/principles.shtml
Impartiality
UN peacekeeping operations are deployed with the consent of the main groups in the
conflict. This requires a commitment by the parties to a political process. Their
acceptance of a peacekeeping operation provides the UN with the necessary freedom
of action, both political and physical, to carry out its mandated tasks.
In the absence of such consent, a peacekeeping operation risks becoming an actual
part of the conflict; and being drawn towards enforcement action, and away from its
fundamental role of keeping the peace.
The fact that the main parties have given their consent to the deployment of a United
Nations peacekeeping operation does not necessarily imply or guarantee that there will
also be consent at the local level, particularly if the main parties are internally divided or
have weak command and control systems.
Impartiality (neutrality)
Impartiality is crucial to maintaining the consent and cooperation of the main parties, but
should not be confused with inactivity. United Nations peacekeepers should be impartial
in their dealings with the parties to the conflict, but not neutral in the execution of their
mandate, which is to stop violence from occurring.
Just as a good referee is impartial, but will penalize infractions, so a peacekeeping
operation should not condone actions by the parties that violate the undertakings of the
peace process or the international norms and principles that a United Nations
peacekeeping operation upholds.
Robust peacekeeping involves the use of force with the authorization of the
Security Council and consent of the host nation and/or the main parties to the
conflict.
Case Positions
Pro (they should be able to use offensive power)
1. Military peacekeeping requires offense Defensive measures will
never maintain peace. True peace requires the aggressor to be defeated.
Therefore, in order to truly carry out their directive, U.N. peacekeepers
should have the power to carry out offensive operations.
2. Preemptive attacks In order to be most effective in protecting
themselves, peacekeepers must be able to preemptively strike. Currently,
they must wait until they are attacked (even though they really dont have
to) in order to defend themselves. If the attacks could be prevented in the
first place, UN casualties could be lowered.
Con (they should not be able to use offensive power)
1. Abuse of Power U.N. peacekeepers are not a military force and should
not be allowed to be one. The U.N., effectively ruled by the five nations on
the Security Council, should not have a military which carry out offensive
operations. That opens the door to vast potential for abuses of power.
According to the actual resolution, FIB is tasked with the responsibility of neutralizing
armed groups. Unlike past U.N. peacekeeping missions, restricted to defensive
operations, Resolution 2098 allows forces to carry out targeted offensive operations
through the Intervention Brigadeeither unilaterally or jointly with the FARDC, in a
robust, highly mobile and versatile manner.
South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi, have sent forces from their militaries to create the
Force Intervention Brigade. The force will consist of approximately 3,000 troops,
organized into three infantry battalions, one artillery and one Special force and
Reconnaissance company as listed in Resolution 2098. Currently, troops are arriving in
the DRC and have begun patrolling the eastern region. They have yet to begin offensive
military actions against the rebels.
Members of FIB will target a number of different rebel groups. Resolution 2098
identified, among others, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)
and, the most dangerous rebel group, the March 23 (or M23) Movement.