A civilian is a person who is not part of the armed forces or police. Civilians are known as non-combatants and are protected under international humanitarian law. Civilians can be civilians in a country that is not involved in an armed conflict, or they may be a resident of a territory occupied by an armed force, such as a city. Civilians are also people who are not members of a political party, religious organization or any other group that is defined as a “combatant” under international law.
During conflict, civilians face many different threats to their safety and well-being. They are the majority of those killed, injured or displaced by armed conflict. The protection of civilians is a key objective in peace operations and it is important to ensure that all armed actors respect their legal obligations. This includes addressing patterns of civilian harm by strengthening community capacities and accountability through support to truth and reconciliation commissions, hybrid courts and other justice mechanisms.
One of the most significant differences between military and civilian life is the structure. Civilian structures often have less strict guidelines for day-to-day activities and career advancement. This can be a positive and challenging change for former servicemembers who transition to a civilian lifestyle. For example, there can be fewer guidelines for how to dress and what tone of voice to use in conversation. Another challenge can be navigating a new chain of command and working with coworkers who have different work styles than they are used to.
Transitioning from a military to civilian life can be a difficult time for family and friends as well. It can be especially challenging to adjust to long distance relationships and re-establish roles within families. In addition, civilians can experience a loss of stability in their finances as they may have to adjust to paying bills on their own or making a financial adjustment after the end of military-provided benefits such as healthcare and housing.
Often, civilians are the victims of indiscriminate attack, and they make up the vast majority of those killed in armed conflicts. The Security Council has made protecting civilians a core goal of UN peace operations, and a critical element of those objectives is to work with local communities to build their capacity to protect themselves from harm.
The protection of civilians should be integrated into the design and operation of all armed conflict-related operations. This requires a greater focus on prevention, and it must be complemented by stronger engagement with armed actors to reduce civilian harm and promote respect for their legal obligations. This is a complex task, but it has never been more urgent or more relevant. It is also necessary to strengthen accountability by ensuring that civilians are supported by independent justice mechanisms, including truth and reconciliation commissions, special criminal tribunals and hybrid courts. This will help to increase the likelihood that violations of international humanitarian and human rights law will be prosecuted.