By Manik MehtaNEW YORK, May 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, an important player in the United Nations (UN) Peace-keeping Operations (UNPKO), has emphasised the importance of providing greater protection for army and police personnel participating in such operations even as the UN builds up what it describes as a "multidimensional peace-keeping force for the future".
The character of UNPKO has undergone a transformation over the years: indeed, the once strictly neutral peace-keepers, have been transformed into pro-active peace-keepers, whose role stretches from deploying new technologies such as drones and robots to boosting the number of women in their ranks.
"The United Nations is improving logistics and administrative practices, strengthening infrastructure and taking other steps to harness the power of our personnel," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on May 29 at the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
Ban added that the UNPKO's goal was to ensure that peacekeeping was a cost effective, valuable investment that brings enormous benefits and, above all, saves lives.
Today, more than 116,000 UN military, police and civilian personnel from more than 120 countries serve in 16 peacekeeping operations, often at great personal risk.
They perform a variety of tasks, from stabilising communities torn apart by conflict and protecting civilians to promoting the rule of law and advancing human rights.
However, such responsibilities are also replete with risks to their life and limb.
India which provides the largest number of men and women in the UNPKO, should know what Indian permanent representative Asoke Mukerjee described as "highest sacrifice" to the cause of peace while hosting a low-key event for all the recipients of the 106 Dag Hammarksjold Medals awarded this year by the United Nations.
Eight Indian peacekeepers, who were killed while serving in the UNPKO in South Sudan, were especially remembered for their sacrifice.
At India's initiative, and in a symbolic tribute to those who have collectively given their lives in pursuit of international peace and security, the photographs of the eight Indian peacekeepers were placed alongside a gold-framed board, listing all the 106 peacekeepers from member states of the United Nations who had lost their lives during the past year.
Candles were lit in their memory on the occasion to demonstrate the solidarity of the United Nations peacekeeping community.
Mukerji joined the permanent representatives and military attaches of member states at a commemorative ceremony at the UN Thursday, with Ban overseeing the wreath-laying at the memorial for the first time.
The proposal for this commemoration was mooted by India and supported by other UN member states.
The UN peacekeepers are being provided new technology tools to carry out their duties; an example of the use of new technology is the introduction of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are unarmed and used solely for surveillance purposes, in the vast Democratic Republic of the Congo - a technological first for the UN and one which is now being considered for other peacekeeping operations.
One of the ways that UAVs have made an impact on the ground was demonstrated earlier this month during a ferry accident in Lake Kivu.
After a UAV spotted a boat in distress, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country immediately sent its speedboats and helicopters to the scene and was able to rescue 15 people.
"From the second it spotted the sinking ship, the UAV stayed at the scene searching for survivors and providing situational awareness," said Ameerah Haq, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support.
Despite the use of the latest technology, much needs to be done in the human context for those serving in the UNPKO.
Malaysian Major-General Datuk Abdul Rahim who was recently in New York, and participated in a panel discussion with Haq and Mukerjee during the recent visit to New York by Malaysian foreign minister Anifah Amin, had said that the UN peace-keeping operations in various crisis-plagued regions should pay greater attention to the "human factor".
In an interview with Bernama, Abdul Rahim said that though emphasis had been put on the trilogy of man, machine and method in the UNPKO, one had to also accentuate the human side of those involved in such operations and their interests.
"Malaysia has over 900 peacekeepers at various locations, the largest contingent being in Lebanon," he said.
Rahim pointed out the multidimensional tasks now include performing new and more complex tasks such as the establishment of transitional authority, providing electoral assistance, extending humanitarian aid and relief, preventing human rights' violations as well as monitoring the enforcement of sanctions.
Rahim emphasised that peacekeepers should be given protection through proper training and equipment.
"Peacekeepers need to be prepared in their tasks on the ground.
Peacekeepers are armed for their self-defence and personal protection.
But now they play a much wider role as they are required to protect civilians, as is already happening in some missions.
The underlying fact is that peacekeepers are not against anyone and remain neutral. They don't regard anyone as enemy," he observed.
Peacekeepers were performing "robust operations" for example, in the Central African Republic where they had protected the local population. The UNSC, he added, needed to take action quickly on incidents such as kidnappings and seizure of peacekeepers.
-- BERNAMA