A civilian is a person who does not engage in military service or have any relationship to armed forces. Civilians are citizens of a country or non-state actor, and they enjoy certain privileges under international law during armed conflict.
Civilians are a very diverse group of people, and they vary in their roles, backgrounds, and responsibilities. Because of this, it’s not useful to lump civilians together for analytical purposes; instead, they should be analyzed in their individual contexts.
For example, civilians who are employed in a military organization are distinct from the civilian population because they have an important role in the armed conflict’s operations. However, civilians who are unemployed are not distinguishable from the rest of the civilian population in terms of their protection under the laws of war.
The civilian population is the most broadly defined category in international humanitarian law, and it includes all persons who are not members of armed forces or governmental authorities. It also refers to those who do not have a direct military or combatant role, such as medical personnel and journalists. Civilians can be a threat to military operations, but they can also be a source of support. Civilians can be a great resource for information about the local environment and its people, which is crucial to planning military missions.
In his report to the Security Council, the Secretary-General has called for a new approach to protect civilians in armed conflict. The new approach works towards “the full protection of civilians.” This calls for a shift away from focusing solely on strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law, and towards building a deeper understanding of the full range of harm experienced by civilians in armed conflict.
One of the biggest challenges for those leaving the military is adjusting to civilian life. This can include re-establishing relationships with family and friends, finding a career that fits your skillset, and adapting to new schedules and routines. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help veterans find the right civilian job.
In addition, civilian life often offers more flexibility than military life. For example, civilians can often choose their own attire and work from home. This can be a big change from having to adhere to strict uniform requirements and being required to show up for duty at specified times. Civilians can also enjoy the freedom to choose where they live, and the flexibility to move between locations domestically or abroad.
Finally, civilians can play a vital role in civil-military relations at the policymaking level. This is because of the specialized knowledge they bring from careers in social sciences and public administration about how societies and their institutions should be organized and resourced. They know about balancing extremely diverse interests, and they have learned how to manage complex organizations and to negotiate with the public. Civilians can also be highly effective at challenging military policies that they believe to be wrong in their professional judgment.