14.2 Peacekeeping Missions and Canada's Role in International Organizations

Canada's peacekeeping legacy took shape in the late 20th century. From Lester B. Pearson's Nobel Prize-winning efforts to Roméo Dallaire's experiences in Rwanda, Canada played a key role in UN missions.

These missions revealed both the potential and limitations of peacekeeping. Canada's involvement in Rwanda and Bosnia highlighted the need for stronger mandates and resources to effectively protect civilians in conflict zones.

United Nations Peacekeeping

Role of Lester B. Pearson in Establishing UN Peacekeeping

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• Lester B. Pearson, Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs, played a pivotal role in the creation of United Nations peacekeeping during the 1956 Suez Crisis
• Proposed the idea of a United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) to supervise the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of invading forces, allowing a peaceful resolution to the conflict
• Pearson's diplomatic efforts and innovative thinking earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957, establishing Canada's reputation as a peacekeeping nation

Structure and Function of UN Peacekeeping Operations

• The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) is responsible for planning, preparing, managing, and directing UN peacekeeping operations worldwide
• UN peacekeeping missions aim to maintain international peace and security by deploying military, police, and civilian personnel to conflict zones
• Peacekeepers monitor ceasefires, facilitate peace processes, protect civilians, assist in disarmament and demobilization of combatants, support elections, and help rebuild institutions and infrastructure in post-conflict societies
• UN peacekeeping operates on three basic principles: consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate

Evolution of UN Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Intervention

• UN peacekeeping has evolved from traditional missions focused on monitoring ceasefires between states to complex multidimensional operations addressing intrastate conflicts and humanitarian crises
• The concept of humanitarian intervention has gained prominence, with the international community increasingly willing to intervene in sovereign states to protect civilians from mass atrocities and gross human rights violations
• The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine, adopted by the UN in 2005, affirms the international community's responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity when a state fails to do so
• However, the application of humanitarian intervention remains controversial due to concerns about state sovereignty, selectivity, and the potential for abuse

NATO and Canadian Forces

Canada's Role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

• Canada is a founding member of NATO, a military alliance established in 1949 to provide collective defense against the Soviet threat during the Cold War
• As a NATO member, Canada commits to the principle of collective defense, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all
• Canada contributes to NATO's military capabilities, participates in joint training exercises, and supports NATO-led operations and missions around the world
• Canada has been involved in numerous NATO operations, including the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and the Kosovo Force (KFOR) in the Balkans

Transformation and Modernization of the Canadian Forces

• The Canadian Forces, consisting of the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Air Force, have undergone significant transformation and modernization since the end of the Cold War
• The 1994 White Paper on Defence outlined a new vision for the Canadian Forces, emphasizing the need for a multi-purpose, combat-capable force able to respond to a wide range of domestic and international challenges
• Key initiatives have included the acquisition of new equipment (CF-18 fighter jets, Halifax-class frigates), the reorganization of the force structure (creation of Joint Task Forces), and the enhancement of interoperability with allies
• The Canadian Forces have also increased their focus on peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations, reflecting Canada's commitment to international peace and security

Peacekeeping Missions

Canada's Involvement in the Rwanda Peacekeeping Mission

• In 1993-1994, Canada participated in the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), a peacekeeping operation aimed at monitoring the Arusha Accords and facilitating a peaceful transition in Rwanda
• Canadian General Roméo Dallaire served as the Force Commander of UNAMIR, leading a multinational force of approximately 2,500 peacekeepers
• Despite Dallaire's warnings about the impending genocide and requests for additional resources and a stronger mandate, the UN Security Council failed to act decisively
• The Rwandan genocide claimed the lives of an estimated 800,000 to 1 million people, primarily Tutsis and moderate Hutus, over a period of 100 days in 1994
• The failure of the international community to prevent or stop the genocide had a profound impact on Dallaire and led to a re-evaluation of UN peacekeeping practices

Canada's Role in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mission

• Canada was a significant contributor to the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995, as part of international efforts to end the Bosnian War
• Canadian peacekeepers were involved in a range of tasks, including monitoring ceasefires, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, and protecting civilians in designated "safe areas" such as Srebrenica
• In July 1995, Bosnian Serb forces overran the Srebrenica safe area, leading to the massacre of over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys, in what was later recognized as an act of genocide
• The fall of Srebrenica highlighted the limitations and challenges faced by UN peacekeepers operating in complex and volatile environments without adequate resources or a clear mandate
• Following the Dayton Agreement in 1995, which ended the Bosnian War, Canada continued to support peacebuilding efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) and Stabilization Force (SFOR)

Legacy and Impact of General Roméo Dallaire

• Roméo Dallaire, a Canadian Lieutenant-General, served as the Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) during the Rwandan genocide in 1994
• Dallaire repeatedly warned the UN about the impending genocide and requested additional resources and a stronger mandate to protect civilians, but his calls for action went largely unheeded
• Despite facing numerous challenges and limitations, Dallaire and his peacekeepers worked tirelessly to save lives and alleviate suffering during the genocide
• After returning to Canada, Dallaire became a vocal advocate for humanitarian intervention, genocide prevention, and support for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Dallaire's powerful testimony and advocacy have helped raise awareness about the Rwandan genocide, the importance of effective peacekeeping, and the need for timely action to prevent mass atrocities
• His experiences in Rwanda and subsequent efforts to promote peace and human rights have made him a symbol of Canada's commitment to international peacekeeping and humanitarian values