ABSTRACT
The expectations that both the local and international community can reasonably place on individual peacekeepers has been the subject of debate. A United Nations force commander stated in this regard that he finds it ‘the duty of an individual, moreover a soldier and a peacekeeper, to ensure the protection of a defenceless civilian population under imminent threat of physical violence. This book explores the individual obligations and potential responsibility of peacekeeping commanders, particularly in relation to civilian protection. The increased focus on civilian protection reinforces the need for a clear understanding of the extent to which peacekeeping can offer that protection and whether commanders are tasked with protecting civilians. The book provides the options available to sanction a potential failure to act or contribution to the commission of a serious crime and tests their applicability to situations in which individual peacekeeping commanders failed to act. The chapter presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book and the background against which the book should be read.
