Afghanistan Specific Civil-Military Guidelines

1. Afghanistan Specific Civil-Military Guidelines Presentation to the CAT by: James Brown UNAMA Civil-Military Coordination Officer

2. Afghanistan Specific Civil-Military Guidelines: Purpose • The guidelines are intended to establish principles and practices for constructive civilian-military relations, and for effective coordination, which is critical for achieving security and stability in Afghanistan • This is CMCoord and not CIMIC • Covers UNAMA, UN agencies, ISAF, OEF, PRTs, ACBAR and NGOs. Non-binding. • Principles covering IMF and ANA/ANP: • Observance of international law and human rights • Respect for the neutrality and independence of humanitarian actors • The IMF have a security role – government and humanitarian actors have responsibility for humanitarian assistance and military for security • Military should only provide assistance in extremis and when requested by the Government • Reporting of violations of human rights and IHL • Women in peace and security – special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence and recognition of UNSCR 1325 • When carrying out COIN operations the military should not call it “HA” or Humanitarian – military operations are not neutral or impartial and should not be called “HA”

3. “Guidelines for the Interaction and Coordination of Humanitarian Actors and Military Actors in Afghanistan” • Drafting of the guidelines started Summer 2007 by a sub-committee of the Kabul Civil-Military Working Group • By November 2007 last draft was completed • Delay in the process requested by UNAMA to get Government involvement • Letter sent to the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) in New York to inform him the guidelines have been adopted by the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) • 20 May final version endorsed by Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT)

4. Sources • IASC ‘Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets to Support UN Humanitarian Activities in Complex Emergencies’, March 2003 (rev Jan 06) • ‘Guidelines on the Use Of Military and Civil Defence Assets in Disaster Relief’ – the ‘Oslo Guidelines’, updated November 2006 • ‘Use of Military or Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys, Sept 2001 • Ref paper, ‘Civil-Military Relationship in Complex Emergencies’, June 2004 • ‘Guidelines for Humanitarian Organisations on Interacting with Military and Other Security Actors in Iraq’, October 2004

5. Sources • Principles guiding the civil military interface in Afghanistan (2003) • InterAction (US): Civil military relations in uncertain or hostile environments – recommended guidelines (draft, 2007) • PRT Handbook 2007 • Nepal: basic operating guidelines (2004) • Liberia UNMIL: guidance for civil-military coordination (2006) • SCHR: position paper on humanitarian-military relations in the provision of humanitarian assistance (2004) • ESC Policy Note Number 3

6. Application • Owned by Civil-Military Working Group • Endorsed by ACBAR, UN, ISAF • Afghan government • OEF – not yet • Private security entities – (not yet)

7. Principles • Overarching principle: division of labour humanitarian / military • Humanitarian Principles: • Humanity • Impartiality • Neutrality • Code of Conduct for International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief (10 principles)

8. Security and Neutrality of Humanitarian Personnel Humanitarian Actors have a three pillar strategy for security of their personnel: • Acceptance • Principles • Dialogue • Empathy • Protection • Physical measures • SOPs • Training • Deterrence • Legal • Stopping programmes

9. Use of Military Assets for Humanitarian Relief Operations UNSCR 1510 (2003) mandate the military to provide security. Through the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) NATO is assisting the Afghan Government in extending and exercising its authority and influence across the country, creating the conditions for stabilisation and reconstruction. (ISAF website) In case of disasters or other civil emergency the primary agency responsible for coordination is ANDMA supported by the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC). The military should only provide in extremis support and only:

10. Military assets should only be used when: • When there is no comparable civilian alternative; • The assets are need to meet urgent humanitarinan needs; • To the extent possible there is civilian control over the operation involving the assets, meaning civilian direction and coordination, as defined in the Oslo Guidelines; • To the extent possible the assets are used only for indirect assistance or infrastructure support; • Military assets are clearly distinguished from those used for military purposes; • The use is limited in time and scale; • There is an exit strategy defining how to achieve a civilian response in the future.

11. The way ahead • Roll out of the guidelines • FRAGO to be issued by ISAF HQ (?) • Roll out training • Development of guidelines – they should not be set in stone and will evolve and change

12. For more information www.unamagroups.org (follow Civil-Military link) brown22@un.org marit.glad@care.org.af

13. Questions ?