The plight of civilians trapped in war is one of the greatest challenges of our times. All agree that providing relief alone is insufficient. The international response must equally focus on measures to provide greater protection for civilians. But what measures? Short of armed peacekeeping, one option is to deploy an unarmed international staff - human rights monitors, ceasefire observers, protection staff with humanitarian agencies - who through their presence deter abuses.

To be effective, however, those deployed must pursue proactive strategies to deter abuse, encourage local actors and support reform efforts.

This manual, published in 2006, describes these strategies. It is the first comprehensive study of these issues based on hundreds of interviews and analysis of nine separate missions, covering a range of institutional mandates.

The book costs £15 plus postage and packing. To order a copy please contact us.

Alternatively: Download the book in pdf format (pdf 160 pages, 900kb)

A summary (49 page) version is also available. Download it here (pdf 357kb)

In this book, we attempt to draw some lessons from a decade of practice with a new tool in human rights protection, where unarmed international volunteers physically accompany those who are threatened with violence.

"The inspiring stories related here are particularly meaningful to citizens of the United States...because, in no small measure, the atrocities can be traced right back to Washington... There are many lessons here of great human significance, if we choose to learn them." NOAM CHOMSKY - Professor of Linguistics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"an important contribution in the search for paths and alternatives in extreme and violent situations. These testimonies convey a sense of hope, born of solidarity and ripened through walking side by side with the people." ADOLFO PEREZ ESQUIVEL (1980 Nobel Peace Laureate)

Order Unarmed Bodyguards online from Eurospan Bookstore.

  Housmans Bookshop online is a good source of further reading about peace and human rights.