A civilian is a person who is not a member of a military, naval, police or fire fighting organization. In addition to being the people who live in a city, town or village, the term also refers to anyone that is not employed by a government body. Civilians often work for private companies, the local school system or for the government itself. Civilians can also be involved in the arts or social services.
In military situations, civilians are the target of attacks by both sides in a war and must be protected at all times. The rules of International Humanitarian Law are clear – civilians must be protected, and they must not be exposed to danger.
The ICRC guidelines differentiate between civilians who directly participate in hostilities on a limited basis and those who join non-state armed groups for the purpose of fighting on a permanent basis. It is a distinction that is not yet reflected in domestic legal systems, reflecting state reluctance to acknowledge the existence of such groups and to afford them legal status.
There are a number of reasons that it is important to protect civilians during conflict. The first is simply that they are the most vulnerable members of society, who can suffer the worst consequences of a conflict. This is why the international community has developed a framework to ensure that civilians are protected during armed conflict. It is a framework that includes specific military tactical directives, backed up by overarching national and international policy documents, such as the UN Protection of Civilians guidelines, the Geneva Call Deeds of Commitment and, from the United States, its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Act.
Whether it is a military operation in a country in crisis, or a peacekeeping mission to a troubled region, a civilian’s role is critical to success. They may be the ones who provide the intelligence that allows military commanders to better understand the environment in which they are operating, so that they can take steps to mitigate any harm caused by their action. They can also be the ones who identify where the threat is coming from, and the best way to target it.
Civilian leaders come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and their experience can help to balance extremely diverse interests in a way that benefits the public. Their careers have spanned everything from public policy to corporate leadership, and they are well versed in how to manage complex, public institutions and organizations. Civilian leaders have a unique perspective on how to balance the needs of very different stakeholders, and they know how to create a culture that is responsive to all voices. They bring an invaluable and often overlooked perspective to defense and national security policymaking, and they are essential to our country’s future. We need their knowledge and expertise, now more than ever. Their perspectives are needed to protect our freedoms and our way of life. They deserve our respect and gratitude.