35 years of glorious journey of Bangladesh in the United Nations Mission
Last Updated on May 29, 2024 8:09 am
The peacekeepers of Bangladesh have kept the red-green flag aloft in the heart of the world for 35 years by serving the UN peacekeeping mission with devotion and honesty. They are committed to establishing peace and security in conflict countries. As international peacekeepers in blue helmets they are fighting against the enemy with the last drop of life. They are of advanced opinion on the question of peace. International UN Peacekeepers Day is celebrated like every year.
On this day, the outstanding contribution of peacekeepers from all countries participating in UN peacekeeping operations is remembered with deep respect.
Bangladesh’s journey to UN peacekeeping mission began in 1988 by sending only 15 military observers to the UN Iran-Iraq Military Observation Group (UNIMOG) mission. Since then, the peacekeeping forces of Bangladesh have been working in peacekeeping missions with great reputation and success.
According to ISPR sources, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have successfully completed 63 UN missions in 43 countries and places in the history of peacekeeping. There are currently 6,920 UN peacekeeping missions and operations in 13 countries, including 493 women. A total of 168 peacekeepers of Bangladesh have been martyred in the UN peacekeeping mission since its inception. 3 wounded peacekeepers are being honored this year.
In 1989, Bangladesh Police started peacekeeping journey through mission in Namibia. Meanwhile, about 21 thousand 453 members of the police have served in peacekeeping missions in different countries. Among them there are 1 thousand 810 women peacekeepers. They have earned wide acclaim and reputation for establishing peace without conflict. Currently 364 members are working for peace in different countries of the world. Among them there are 120 women.
According to police headquarters sources, policemen have performed their duties professionally in missions in 23 countries. At present, 364 peacekeepers including 120 women of Bangladesh Police are deployed in Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Cyprus, South Sudan, Central Africa and Libya. So far 24 policemen have laid down their lives while efficiently working in the peacekeeping mission. 12 people were injured.
Superintendent of Police Inamul Haque Sagar of the Police Headquarters said that Bangladesh Police has provided humanitarian assistance to the helpless people devastated by the earthquake in Haiti, and has played a unique general role in providing police services, reorganizing and restructuring the police institutional structure and capacity building in various war-torn countries in Africa and Europe, which is international. It has been widely appreciated.
It is known that the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission was born in 1948 with the aim of establishing peace in the conflict regions of the world. On May 29 of that year, the first UN-supervised international peacekeepers were deployed to the Middle East’s Sinai region to monitor the Arab-Israeli ceasefire. Soldiers, police and civilians from more than 120 countries around the world have served in UN peacekeeping missions. Many of whom were killed in the line of duty. Since 2003, May 29 is a global day to commemorate the great sacrifices made by peacekeepers of different countries.
Programme: This year too the day is being celebrated in Bangladesh with due dignity through various arrangements. The International UN Peacekeepers Day program will begin in the morning with the ‘Peacekeeper Run-2024’ in memory of the peacekeepers and the next of kin of the martyred peacekeepers and injured peacekeepers will be felicitated in a ceremony organized at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center at 11 am. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the event as the chief guest. Cabinet members, Ambassadors/High Commissioners of various countries posted in Bangladesh, UN Resident Coordinators posted in Bangladesh, Chiefs of three armed forces, Members of Parliament, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Department, Inspector General of Police, senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and senior military and media personalities were present at the reception. Civilian officials will be present.
Highlighting the dignity and importance of the day, special articles will be published in national newspapers. Various private television channels including Bangladesh Television and special discussion programs have been organized on Bangladesh Radio.