29 July 2010
RSIS-NTS Centre Protection of Civilians Workshop
Executive Summary
Asia has suffered protracted intra-state conflicts and violence, with significant repercussions for civilians. Alongside these civilian protection challenges, there have been considerable regional institutional developments in recent years such as the establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC). It is against this backdrop that the Regional Workshop on the Protection of Civilians organised by the RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies and the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) was convened on 15–16 July 2010. Participants from different backgrounds, including the f ields of law, academia and civil society, came together with the aim of understanding the existing standards and frameworks, and the relevant policies; and to explore ways to build on existing mechanisms to advance the protection of civilians (POC) in Asia. Three significant themes emerged from this Regional Workshop. They are: (1) the need for comprehensive and long-term protection; (2) the effectiveness and accessibility of existing mechanisms; and (3) the support strategies for states to exercise their responsibility to protect their citizens. Finally, participants identified potential ways forward to achieve a sustainable framework to ensure the protection of civilians.
Executive Summary
Asia has suffered protracted intra-state conflicts and violence, with significant repercussions for civilians. Alongside these civilian protection challenges, there have been considerable regional institutional developments in recent years such as the establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC). It is against this backdrop that the Regional Workshop on the Protection of Civilians organised by the RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies and the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) was convened on 15–16 July 2010. Participants from different backgrounds, including the f ields of law, academia and civil society, came together with the aim of understanding the existing standards and frameworks, and the relevant policies; and to explore ways to build on existing mechanisms to advance the protection of civilians (POC) in Asia. Three significant themes emerged from this Regional Workshop. They are: (1) the need for comprehensive and long-term protection; (2) the effectiveness and accessibility of existing mechanisms; and (3) the support strategies for states to exercise their responsibility to protect their citizens. Finally, participants identified potential ways forward to achieve a sustainable framework to ensure the protection of civilians.
