Observer mission

The observer mission is a form of the use of military forces by the United Nations . It is to be distinguished from the peace mission and the enforcement of peace according to Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, but it can certainly be followed by such more far-reaching measures (such as the UNAMSIL peace mission , which followed the UNOMSIL observer mission in Sierra Leone). Like all armed operations of the United Nations, it requires a corresponding resolution by the UN Security Council that defines the type, scope and duration of the operation. A United Nations observer mission only takes place with the consent of the government of the host country or of all parties involved in the conflict.

The observer mission consists of military personnel, in particular unarmed military observers , unless they are part of the completely different civil election observation missions (e.g. ( UNOMSA ) in South Africa 1994) of recent times. Although the smaller observation missions consist of military personnel, they are not armed by the United Nations. The larger observation missions are equipped with weapons that can also be used for self-defense. The aim of every observation mission is to determine a situation and to collect facts. It is neutral, but like the peace mission (and unlike peace enforcement ) it requires the approval of the host country in which it is to take place or the parties to the conflict.