UN Police and Its Role in Preventing Ethnic Conflicts

Conflict prevention (CP) is crucial for the maintenance of international peace and security (IPS) as the UN main purpose. Ethnic conflicts (ECs) are among the current dangers posed to IPS. In the framework of CP, UN Police (UNPOL) is an integral part of UN peacekeeping operations which components are Individual Police Officers (IPOs), Specialized Police Teams (SPTs), and Formed Police Units (FPUs). After giving a brief overview of UNPOL history and functions, this paper explores the role it can play in preventing ECs.

This study is conducted through a descriptive-analytic method and by employing a desk research as well as field reports.

It appears that UNPOL can play an effective role in preventing ECs in two aspects of operational prevention and structural prevention. Three core tasks of FPUs are managing the public order, protecting the UN personnel and facilities, and supporting those police operations which necessitate a cohesive respond. These Units support the host State police in an operational way thereby can contribute to operational prevention of ECs. Furthermore, IPOs as well as SPTs step toward structural and long-term prevention of ECs through reforming, capacity-building, restructuring and rebuilding the host State police. However, if necessary, two later components can be employed for operations purposes too.