Mutual warfare can never bring benefits. For peace, war must be avoided. The United Nations peacekeeping mission was started in 1948 with the aim of establishing peace in the conflict zones of the world. May 29, is the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. This day has been observed since 2003 to commemorate the great sacrifices of peacekeepers in different countries. It was so designated by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 57/129, on December 11, 2002, after an official request of the Ukrainian Peacekeepers Association and the Government of Ukraine to the UN General Assembly. The date, May 29, marks the anniversary of the creation of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in 1948 to monitor the ceasefire after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which was the first ever UN peacekeeping mission.
As such, the United Nations peacekeeping mission established in 1948, turns 76 this year. The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is a tribute to people who serve or have served in UN peacekeeping operations. The peacekeepers are honored for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage. People who died for peace are also remembered. In 2009, the United Nations placed special emphasis on the contribution and role of women in peacekeeping. This step was taken mainly for the purpose of women's role in peacekeeping and elimination of gender inequality. This day is celebrated with due significance in all the countries of the world. The highlight of the day was the distribution of the honorary 'Dag Hammarskjöld' medal at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
Bangladesh has a glorious history in UN peacekeeping missions. Bangladesh's journey to the UN peacekeeping mission began in 1988 with the deployment of only 15 military observers to the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG) mission. From that, the glorious path of Bangladesh is starting. Over the next few years, Bangladesh's peacekeeping force has served in UN peacekeeping missions with great reputation and achievement. At that time, in 1993-94, the most talked about peace missions in Rwanda, Somalia and Bosnia, the Bangladesh Army came to the center of the discussion. The military capabilities of a developing country like Bangladesh and the military acumen that could rival the Belgian army in Rwanda, the American in Somalia and the French in Bosnia were beyond the imagination of the officials of the respective countries including the United Nations. As a result, Bangladesh's position in the UN peacekeeping mission has been strengthening ever since. Besides, a brigade group of Bangladesh Army was deployed there during the 1994 Rwandan genocide in Africa. More than 600,000 people were killed in the nearly 100 days civil war. When the civil war broke out in the peacekeeping mission, the Afro-European battalions, including the Belgians, quickly withdrew their missions, but the Bangladesh army remained in the mission area with courage.
As a result, the death rate in genocide was much lower. In the end, Bangladesh also had to withdraw from the UN decision. Everyone was amazed at the courage and skill of the Bangladeshi soldiers. When the peacekeeping mission withdrew from Somalia, the American troops demanded that the Bangladeshi troops stay with them until their last soldier left Somalia. By winning the hearts of the people of Somalia, the Bangladeshis strengthened their position there. The trust and love of the local people is the main strength of the Bangladesh Army in the UN mission. This skill of Bangladeshis in every mission has fascinated the UN officials. Bangladeshi peacekeepers have become essential to any military commander for personal discipline, administrative and military efficiency. Especially the European-American generals are fascinated and confident in the skill and courage of the Bangladeshi military officers. When the French Battalion withdrew from Bosnia, the only peacekeeping mission in Europe, in 1995, Bangladeshi troops began working in their place. Competing with the armies of 34 countries, the Bangladesh Battalion had to prove its capability in peacekeeping. Everyone had the idea that the soldiers of a poor country like Bangladesh would not be able to work in the place of the French army. But later it was seen that while the Dutch and Ukrainian forces had completely failed to stop the genocide in the two Bosnian cities of 'Srebrenica' and 'Zepa', the Bangladeshi army, with much lighter weapons than them, was just as brave, skillful and strong and Was able to save the people of the important big city 'Bihac.'
Overall, the UN peacekeeping mission turns 76 this year (1948-2024). On the other hand, Bangladesh Peacekeeping force turns 36 years (1988-2024) under the UN peacekeeping mission. From the very beginning of joinin the UN peacekeeping mission, the peacekeepers of Bangladesh have been able to win the reputation and love of all by showing their efficiency. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Bangladesh's participation in the UN peacekeeping mission, The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in April 2018, "I am impressed by the role of Bangladesh's military in protecting human rights as well as establishing lasting peace in troubled areas. The women police team of Bangladesh is vocal to consolidate social harmony. Whenever I go on a mission, I speak of the Bangladesh army as an example."
Bangladesh is a proud partner in the UN peacekeeping mission. One of the best achievements of Bangladesh in the 53 years of independence is to retain the top position as a country sending peacekeepers in UN peacekeeping missions. In various international media, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been referred to as the 'marrow' of the UN peacekeeping force. From Haiti to East Timor, from Lebanon to DR Congo, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have taken the place of respect and love in the minds of people in all conflict areas of the world. In countries where the general people were not familiar with the word 'Bangladesh' at one time, Bangladesh has now become a country of great love, the red-green flag has become an integral part of passion and respect.
As a result of the participation of Bangladeshi troops in UN peacekeeping missions, the recognition of Bengali and Bangla language has increased in the world. Leaving behind caste, creed, political ideology, religious beliefs and regional differences, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have dedicated themselves to the great service of world humanity. Due to their professionalism, impartiality, honesty and humane behavior, they have become a role model for the people of those countries today. According to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations report on the position of countries contributing to UN peacekeeping missions, Bangladesh has so far topped the list of countries sending the largest number of troops. Since August 2020, Bangladesh has been able to maintain its top position in this regard.
Among the Bangladeshi Army officers in the UN peacekeeping mission, six force commanders and seven deputy force
commanders also had the honor of successfully performing their duties. So far, a total of 6731 Bangladeshis have been serving as peacekeepers in eight crisis-stricken countries and at the UN headquarters. For more than two and a half decades, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have enhanced the pride and dignity of the country by making outstanding contributions in maintaining peace in 54 missions in 40 countries of the world. At the same time, they are making a significant contribution to the economy of Bangladesh. At present, the country's remittance income through peacekeeping mission is more than two thousand crore taka.
So far, 153 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have given up their valuable lives to work in this service of world humanity. 229 people were injured. Of these, 219 are members of the army. The list of dead includes 122 from the army, 4 from the navy, 5 from the air force and 22 from the police. In the last two and a half decades, about one lakh 71 thousand Bangladeshi peacekeepers have performed this duty in different countries of the world. This number is constantly increasing. Bangladesh Navy and Air Force have been serving in this mission since 1993. Police members of Bangladesh have been taking part in this mission since 1989. About two thousand women peacekeepers of the country have already successfully completed their duties in various conflict-ridden countries. The participation of Bangladeshi women peacekeepers in establishing world peace is also increasing. At present, 270 women of Bangladesh are serving in UN peacekeeping missions. Among them, 51 women officers of the army and 67 soldiers of other ranks, 6 women officers of the navy and 11 women officers of the air force. Bangladesh was the first Muslim-majority country to send a female police team to a UN peacekeeping mission in 2010.
For 36 years of joining the United Nations peacekeeping mission, the peacekeeping force of Bangladesh has been performing its duties with reputation, love, achievement and success. In the face of injuries, conflicts, fears, natural disasters, adverse situations, Bangladeshi peacekeepers at the risk of their lives are constantly working in the service of world humanity with the message of peace. Through their great sacrifice, Bangladesh and Bangla language are being appreciated all over the world. One of the best achievements of Bangladesh in the 53 years of independence is to maintain its top position as a peacekeeping country in UN peacekeeping missions. I remember with gratitude, love and humble respect to the Bangladeshi peacekeepers who have contributed to the maintenance of world peace on the 36th anniversary of Bangladesh in the United Nations peacekeeping mission.
Emran Emon is a researcher, journalist and columnist. He can be reached emoncolumnist@gmail.com
