African Union International Symposium to enhance the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Zones

Date:  02 March 2010

THE HON. DR MIKE KELLY AM MP

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

African Union International Symposium to enhance the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Zones

Dr Mike Kelly is attending an international symposium on the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Zones in Addis Ababa from 3-5 March 2010.  The symposium is being convened by the African Union and supported by the Australian Government. 

The aim of the symposium is to consider guidelines that have been drafted to help improve the protection of civilians in peacekeeping missions.

In considering the guidelines the symposium will review mechanisms that could be taken by the African Union to protect civilians during conflict.  The draft guidelines are based on experience gained from peacekeeping missions in Africa, and recognise the need to understand and coordinate the contributions of military, police, humanitarian and other civil participants.

The three-day symposium has been organised by the African Union Peace and Security Commission with support from the Australian Government. The Symposium brings together the experience of more than 100 high-level African and international experts to enhance the implementation of protection of civilians in conflict zones.

Dr Kelly and Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union Commission will deliver the keynote addresses.

Experts from the field, including representatives from the United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) will present on protection issues arising in the AU context, as well as recent international developments.

"The Guidelines have been developed to assist the African Union  in planning and implementing a more coordinated approach to the protection of civilians in African Union and United Nations peace operations.

"The challenges of maintaining peace and security are enormous, and the tragic reality is that civilians continue to account for the vast majority of casualties in armed conflict," said Dr. Kelly

The Australian Government through the Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence played a key role in the lead-up to the African Union Symposium.  In December 2009 the Centre facilitated the development of the draft Guidelines that are under consideration in Ethiopia this week.

"Australia has a proud history of supporting peacekeeping operations.  Since 1948, Australian personnel have served in more than 50 peacekeeping operations, including missions in Africa," said Dr. Kelly.    

"Peace operations are no longer the exclusive domain of the United Nations.

"Non-United Nations peace operations are undertaken by other multinational or regional groupings such as the African Union.

"The contribution we will make this week is a positive one aimed at better equipping peacekeepers and making a practical difference to the lives of people affected by conflict . " said Dr. Kelly.

Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence.      www.civmilcoe.gov.au

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