斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Multilateral-peace-operations-and-the-challenges-of-irregular-migration-and-human-trafficking_32页_900kb

Summary of Multilateral Peace Operations and the Challenges of Irregular Migration and Human Trafficking

Core Content

This paper explores the intersection between multilateral peace operations and non-traditional security challenges, particularly irregular migration and human trafficking. It highlights the increasing complexity of these issues and their impact on peacebuilding and international security, emphasizing the need for peace operations to adapt to new threats. The paper also outlines the evolving role of peace operations in addressing these challenges and the existing frameworks and activities that support this engagement.

Main Points

• Non-traditional Security Challenges: Irregular migration and human trafficking are increasingly significant non-traditional security challenges for multilateral peace operations. These issues often transcend national borders and intersect with armed conflict, terrorism, and organized crime.

• Definitions and Overlaps: There is no universally accepted definition of irregular migration, but it generally refers to movement that does not conform to the regulatory norms of the involved countries. Irregular migration can include both economic migrants and refugees, and it may overlap with human trafficking, which involves the exploitation of individuals through coercion, fraud, or abuse of power.

• Impact on Peace Operations: Irregular migration and human trafficking directly and indirectly affect peace operations. Directly, they may require missions to protect displaced populations or combat human trafficking networks. Indirectly, they can strain state resources and fuel conflict, thus undermining the effectiveness of peace operations.

• Security Council Engagement: While the UN Security Council has increasingly recognized the importance of protecting civilians in conflict (POC), its engagement with migration and human trafficking has been limited. The Council has only addressed migration in specific resolutions related to Libya and Mali. However, in 2016, it adopted its first thematic resolution on human trafficking, emphasizing its negative impact on peace and security.

• Peace Operations' Role: Peace operations are involved in both direct and indirect activities to address irregular migration and human trafficking. Direct activities include protection, humanitarian assistance, border monitoring, and repatriation support. Indirect activities involve supporting host governments, strengthening institutions, and promoting rule of law and social justice.

Key Activities and Categories

The paper categorizes the activities of peace operations into four broad types based on two dimensions:

1. Targeting Drivers vs. Consequences:

   • Targeting Drivers: Proactive measures to address the root causes of irregular migration and human trafficking.
   • Targeting Consequences: Reactive measures to respond to existing challenges, such as protecting IDPs and refugees or combating trafficking networks.

2. Direct vs. Indirect Activities:

   • Direct Activities: Implemented by peace operations themselves, such as protection, humanitarian aid, and border monitoring.
   • Indirect Activities: Aim to build the capacity of host governments and local communities, including support for rule of law, security sector reform, and socioeconomic development.

Table 1: Categorization of Activities

Examples of Peace Operations

Several UN and non-UN peace operations have engaged with irregular migration and human trafficking, either directly or indirectly. Some notable examples include:

Direct Activities:

• UN missions: MINUSCA, MINUSMA, MONUC, MONUSCO, UNAMID, UNAMIR, UNAMSIL, UNOCI, UNPROFOR, etc.
• EU missions: EUBAM Libya, EUCAP Sahel Mali, EUCAP Sahel Niger, EUFOR Chad/CAR, Operation Artemis, etc.

Indirect Activities:

• UN missions: BNUB, MINURCAT, MINURSO, UNOCI, UNOSOM I, UNOSOM II, etc.
• EU missions: EUPM, EUCAP Sahel Mali, EUCAP Sahel Niger, EUBAM Libya, etc.

Opportunities and Challenges

• Opportunities: Peace operations can play a critical role in preventing and responding to irregular migration and human trafficking by addressing both the root causes and immediate consequences of these phenomena.
• Challenges: There is a lack of a unified legal framework and policy guidance. The overlap between different categories (e.g., refugees, IDPs, and migrants) complicates the identification of appropriate roles. Additionally, peace operations often have broader mandates, which may dilute their focus on these specific issues.

Conclusion

The paper concludes that multilateral peace operations are increasingly being called upon to address irregular migration and human trafficking, both as direct interventions and as part of broader peacebuilding efforts. While there is a growing recognition of the importance of these issues, the lack of a comprehensive and universally accepted framework remains a significant challenge. The paper calls for further dialogue, cooperation, and policy development to enhance the effectiveness of peace operations in this context.

References

• The paper is part of the New Geopolitics of Peace Operations (NGP) initiative, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and co-sponsored by Ethiopia.
• It draws on existing literature and policy papers, including those from SIPRI, the UN, and the EU.