Attacks on United Nations Peacekeeping Forces: A Violation of International Humanitarian Law

This paper raises the question as to whether the United Nations peacekeeping forces could be awarded a civilian status during the armed conflict in which they are deployed; which is important for the determination of prohibition of attacks against them. The paper is based on the premise that distinction between civilians and combatants is crucial under international humanitarian law. In doing so, this paper briefly analyses the nature of UN peacekeeping operations and the qualification of the UN forces’ members as civilians or combatants. It also delves into the emerging category of UN robust peacekeeping operations to ascertain whether its personnel would be treated as civilians or combatants in the context of an international armed conflict.