Publication:

Detention and DDR Operational Guideline

These Guidelines aim to provide standardised operational guidance to Mission personnel, from the Head of Mission to individual military and police commanders, on how to deal with detainees in compliance with international law and standards. Besides the obligation on the AU and AU missions to respect applicable international law relating to detention, doing so carries various – rather more practical - operational benefits. First, it protects missions from legal claims. Second, it is essential for the reputation of both the mission and the AU itself. Third, crucially, it may encourage enemy combatants to surrender.