UN Peacekeeping

Two BSF personnel who were part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), were among five people killed during a protest in an eastern town near the border with Uganda.

About the UN Peacekeepers –

• United Nations Peacekeeping was created in 1948. They are often referred to as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets because of their light blue berets or helmets.
• Purpose – It provides security, political, and peace-building support to countries under conflicts. It helps countries make the difficult, early transition from conflict to peace.
• Principles – They are guided by three basic principles:
  • • • Consent of the parties
      • Impartiality
      • Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
• Authorised by – Every peacekeeping mission is authorised 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.
• The UN Peacekeeping Force won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.

India’s role in UN Peacekeeping –

• India has a long history of service in UN Peacekeeping, having contributed more personnel than any other country. To date, more than 2,53,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN Peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948.
• Currently, India is the fifth largest troop contributor (TCC) with 5,323 personnel deployed in 8 out of 13 active UN Peacekeeping Missions.
• India’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping began with its participation in the UN operation in Korea in the 1950s, where India’s mediatory role in resolving the stalemate over prisoners of war in Korea led to the signing of the armistice that ended the Korean War.
• In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an all-women contingent to a UN Peacekeeping Mission.
• A total 175 Indian peacekeepers have so far died while serving with the United Nations. India has lost more peacekeepers than any other UN Member State.