UN PEACEKEEPING FORCES - INTERNATIONAL

News: UN observes the diamond jubilee of UN peacekeeping

 

What's in the news?

       The UN has sent more than two million peacekeepers to help countries move away from conflict, with successes in Liberia and Cambodia.

       A ceremony will honour 4,200 peacekeepers who died since 1948.

 

United Nations Peacekeeping:

       Since 1948, UN Peacekeepers have undertaken 71 Field Missions.

       They are often referred to as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets because of their light blue berets or helmets.

       The UN Peacekeeping Force won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.

       India is one of the largest troop-contributing nations to the U.N. peacekeeping missions.

 

Principles:

The three basic principles that guide U.N.’s Peacekeeping missions are:

       Consent of the parties

       Impartiality

       Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.

 

Control:

       Every peacekeeping mission is authorized by the UN Security Council.

 

Peacekeeping forces:

       Member states contribute their manpower for Peacekeeping forces on a voluntary basis.

 

Funding:

       The financial resources of UN Peacekeeping operations are the collective responsibility of UN Member States.

       Every Member State is legally obligated to pay their respective share for peacekeeping.

 

Responsibilities of U.N. military personnel:

       Protecting civilians and other U.N. personnel.

       Monitoring disputed borders.

       Observing peace processes in post-conflict areas.

       Providing security in conflict zones.

       Providing security during elections.

       Assisting in-country military personnel with training and support.

       Assisting ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements.