Thirty Police officers start UN course on protection of civilians

Thirty Police officers started a two-week ‘Protection of Civilian’ course at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters at Kacyiru.

The course is conducted in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza, while opening the course, said that the RNP is dedicated to continue building the capacity of its force to effectively achieve its mission of ensuring that peace and security prevail in armed conflict countries.

“This course is dedicated to Police officers preparing to be deployed in UN mission areas, to increase their capacity to contribute to UN efforts to protect civilians in armed conflict areas around the world,” said DIGP Ujeneza.

It is designed for the officers to understand the international principles on the protection of civilians in war-torn zones, including special consideration for conflict-related sexual violence and child protection.

DIGP Ujeneza urged the trainees to grasp the content of the course to enhance their operating capacity in protecting vulnerable people affected by armed violence and conflict.

Fernanda Santos Pereira Da Silva from UNITAR said that protection of civilians has become a priority mandate in peacekeeping, and that this course will further demonstrate Rwanda’s service excellence in ensuring the security of civilians under the UN framework. (End).