Protection of Civilians in UN Peacekeeping Operations

  • Joint media release

Today we announce Australia's endorsement of the Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians, which will improve the capacity of United Nations peacekeepers to protect civilians facing violence.

The 18 Kigali Principles cover key issues including vigilance in reporting human rights abuses and the early identification of potential threats to civilian populations.

These principles are central to the ability of the United Nations to fulfil one of its founding purposes – maintaining international peace and security.

The Kigali Principles will encourage the international peacekeeping community to uphold the same high standards for civilian protection which Australia has long maintained and advocated.

We are proud to join 37 other countries in endorsing these important principles.

Australia has a long standing commitment to peacekeeping. Since 1947, Australia has provided personnel to more than 50 United Nations and other multinational peacekeeping operations, including currently in the Middle East, South Sudan and Cyprus.

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