Partner to manual: Humanitarian Negotiations with Armed Groups |
This set of guidelines is intended to provide concise advice and guidance to humanitarian practitioners on how to prepare for and conduct humanitarian negotiations with non-State armed groups.
This booklet summarizes the essential guidance presented in the more comprehensive partner publication titled, Humanitarian Negotiations with Armed Groups: A Manual for Practitioners. |
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The six sections of this set of guidelines follow closely the sequence and content of the chapters in the partner manual. In addition to the guidance presented here, the manual. provides comprehensive information on the important framing and contextual elements for undertaking humanitarian negotiations with armed groups. The manual also contains short case studies and examples of practical experiences of humanitarian negotiations with armed groups. |
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Throughout this set of Guidelines references are provided to the corresponding sections of the partner manual that provide more detailed information on a particular topic1. |
Non-State armed groups: working definition (Negotiations manual Section 1.1) |
Working Definition of Non-State Armed Groups
Groups that: have the potential to employ arms in the use of force to achieve political, ideological or economic objectives; are not within the formal military structures of States, State-alliances or intergovernmental organizations; and are not under the control of the State(s) in which they operate. |
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Objectives (Negotiations manual Section 1.3) |
The primary objectives of humanitarian negotiations are to: (i) ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance and protection to vulnerable populations; (ii) preserve humanitarian space; and (iii) promote better respect for international law. |
Negotiation does not confer legitimacy |
Because of their exclusively humanitarian character, humanitarian negotiations do not in any way confer legitimacy or recognition upon armed groups. |
Security considerations (Negotiations manual Section 1.5) |
The guidance presented here and in the partner manual does not supplant or circumvent existing security policies and guidelines. Operational aspects of humanitarian negotiations with armed groups must be conducted in accordance with the relevant security procedures. |
