The classical context for the discussion of protection of civilians in armed conflict is to be found in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols. The road to these instruments was long and contested as the recognition of the special status of the civilian came only slowly to the fore in the humanitarian tradition of war. It is also in these Conventions and Protocols that the so-called humanitarian imperative is grounded (para. 8). Within the category of civilian, there are two groups with a protected status, namely refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

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The underlying objective of UNHCR's work with refugees, IDPs and stateless persons is to work to overcome their vulnerability through the creation of an effective protection regime, be it international or national. Perhaps in the concepts of vulnerability and the establishment of effective protection, there might be the nucleus of an integrating theme for the Office's work. PoC, as a concept that integrates UNHCR's work with refugees and IDPs in armed conflict situations, through a range of activities, including the restoration of the rule of law, could be seen as a stepping stone along this path to greater integration of the Office's work .