Jim O'Keeffe
Question:155 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the rules of engagement applicable to Irish soldiers now serving with the UN in Liberia. [31058/03]
Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.
The United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL, was established under UN Security Council Resolution 1509 of 19 September 2003 which authorised the deployment of troops under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Under this Chapter, which is entitled Action with respect to threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression, the United Nations Security Council is mandated to take whatever action "as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security". Peace support operations mounted under this chapter are commonly known as peace enforcement operations where the consent of the parties is not required. The Defence Forces have previous experience of such missions, including UNMISET in East Timor, SFOR in Bosnia, KFOR in Kosovo and UNMEE in Eritrea.
I understand the rules of engagement for UNMIL provide that the principle of minimum force and proportionality shall apply at all times and in all circumstances. Wherever the operational situation permits, every reasonable effort shall be made to control a situation through measures short of using force, including personal contact and negotiation. Any force used must be limited in its intensity and duration and be commensurate with the level of threat.
Personnel serving with UNMIL are entitled to use force, up to and including deadly force, to defend and protect themselves, other UN personnel, international personnel, UN installations and, within their capabilities, civilians, where there is an immediate threat to life or of bodily harm. Personnel are entitled to use force, excluding deadly force, to prevent the escape of any apprehended or detained person pending handover to appropriate civilian authorities. However, the use of force, including deadly force, shall only be resorted to if all other means to control the situation have failed, or if an attack is so unexpected, that a moment's delay could lead to death or grievous injury to oneself or other designated personnel.