UN peacekeeping forces
Why in news:
- TODAY is the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
- It is also the 75th anniversary of the first UN peacekeeping mission, which was in West Asia.
- India has been among the largest troop-contributing countries to the U.N. peacekeeping missions.
- As of November 2021, India is the second-highest military (1,888) and fifth-highest (139) police-contributing country to the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
What is the U.N. Peacekeeping mission?
- The U.N. Peacekeeping mission is a joint effort between the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Operational Support.
- It aims to assist host countries to transition from situations of conflict to peace.
- The U.N. began its Peacekeeping efforts in 1948 when it deployed military observers to West Asia.
- The Peacekeeping mission’s role was to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
- N. Peacekeepers provide security as well as political and peacebuilding support to conflict-ridden countries.
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
Who are the ‘Blue Helmets’?
- Blue Helmets are the military personnel of the U.N. that work alongside the U.N. Police and civilian colleagues to promote “stability, security, and peace processes”.
- The personnel get the name from the iconic blue helmets or berets they wear.
- All military personnel under Blue Helmets are members of their national armies first who are seconded to work under the U.N. command.
- Currently, there are more than 70,000 military personnel enlisted as Blue Helmets.
- African and Asian countries outnumber their western counterparts in contributing soldiers to Blue Helmets.
What are the responsibilities of U.N. military personnel?
U.N. military personal can be tasked with:
- 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
What is India’s contribution towards United Nations Peacekeeping forces?
- Over 200,000 Indians have served in 49 U.N. Peacekeeping missions since 1948.
- Currently, 5,581 Indians are part of various U.N. Peacekeeping missions.
- In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an all-women contingent to a U.N. Peacekeeping mission.
Syllabus: Prelims
