UN Peacekeeping
Legal Framework (UN Charter, Chapter VI and VII)
The United Nations Charter does not explicitly use the term "peacekeeping." The legal basis is generally understood to lie between Chapter VI (Pacific Settlement of Disputes — Article 33 to 38, which empower the Security Council to investigate and recommend solutions) and Chapter VII (Action with Respect to Threats to Peace — Article 39 to 51, which authorise coercive measures including military force). This ambiguity led former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld to humorously describe peacekeeping as a "Chapter VI and a half" operation. Three core principles govern classical peacekeeping: (i) host-state consent, (ii) impartiality, and (iii) non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
- Chapter VI (Articles 33–38): Peaceful dispute settlement — mediation, arbitration, negotiation, judicial settlement.
- Chapter VII (Articles 39–51): Collective security measures; Article 42 authorises military action; Article 51 preserves the inherent right of self-defence.
- UNTSO (1948, Middle East) was the first UN peacekeeping operation — India's UNMOGIP (India-Pakistan, established 1949) is one of the oldest still in existence.
- The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, established in 2000, is awarded posthumously to peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag.
● Tracked since April 02, 2026 · last seen May 30, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes