Following the First Arab-Israel War of 1948, United Nations (UN) sent its first team of observers with a mandate of monitoring and maintaining ceasefire between the belligerents. This first ever peacekeeping mission was formally authorized on 29 May 1948. Thereafter, this date is used to commemorate as the International Day of UN Peacekeepers in memorial to all the peacekeepers who have sacrificed their lives ever since. Despite debates and criticisms, peacekeeping operations continued to be one of the UNs primary and most useful instruments for establishing sustainable peace in countries ragged by conflict, while Blue Helmet remains as a symbol of optimism for millions of vulnerable people suffering from harsh and dangerous conditions around the globe.
Over the years, the nature and extent of peacekeeping operations have changed. Particularly after the end of the Cold War, civil war broke out in many parts of the world urging immediate need for UN interventions. Between 1989 and 1994, the UN Security Council authorized 20 new missions increasing the number of peacekeepers from only 11,000 to 75,000. Bangladesh, a brand name in the UN peacekeeping mission, began its journey around the same time in 1988 by deploying troops in the UN Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG). Since then, Bangladesh exhibited its constant commitment to UN Charter for restoring lasting global peace. At present, Bangladesh takes pride to be one of the largest troops and police contributing countries and at the same time among the best performing countries in the peacekeeping operations for which the UN officials have repeatedly conveyed their admiration and gratitude. Moreover, with respect to female participation in peacekeeping missions, Bangladesh has exhibited how to further the proportion of female members. At present, Bangladesh is almost there to reach the UN set target of deploying 18 percent female Staff Officer and Military Observer in peacekeeping operations.
Since 1948, above 1 million men and women have served in around 70 UN peacekeeping missions from more than 120 participating countries. Among them, Bangladesh contributed close to 20 percent of all troops over the past three and half decades. According to the UN report, a total of 4,374 peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives so far across the world including 168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers. Compared to the other peacekeeping nations, the fatalities of Bangladesh vis-à-vis its total troop contribution have been far lower. This indicates excellent operational efficiency and outstanding skills of Bangladeshi peacekeepers.
Despite UNs 10 rules guidelines for the conduct of peacekeeping troops established in 1998 and three-tier strategy to tackle all forms of misconduct done by the peacekeepers, there have been allegations against some UN peacekeepers regarding their human rights violation, exploitation and abuses during the missions. In response, the UN also declared a zero tolerance policy with respect to sexual abuses and exploitation in 2003, and in 2008 the Secretariat launched the Misconduct Tracking System (MTS), a global database and confidential tracking system for all allegations of misconduct involving peacekeeping personnel. Although troop contributing countries like France, Tanzania, Gabon, Pakistan, Morocco, Senegal, Niger, Democratic Republic of the Congo etc. have been accused of serious crimes and sexual misconducts in several host countries, Bangladesh holds comparatively a fair and positive image throughout its peacekeeping journey. In order to enhance professionalism and competence the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) was established back in 1999, while the Bangladesh Peace-building Centre (BPC) was founded in 2016.In line with the UN mandate for the protection of civilian, Bangladesh has addressed the issue in the peacekeepers training curriculum and accordingly attained highest success in avoiding human casualties, particularly in safeguarding women and children, at the field missions. Itis relevant to mention here that Bangladeshs compliance with the UN policy on Human Rights Screening of UN Personnel (2012), by which peacekeepers are nominated by the member states,has been another key reason behind the countrys glorious performance in peacekeeping missions.
Despite Bangladeshs strong commitment to uphold global peace and continuous support to the UN initiatives, some conspiratorial activities have been observed during recent years from specific quarters that clearly indicate ill intentions of vested interest groups from within and outside the country. For instance, just ahead of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers 6 members of the US Congress urged President Joe Biden sending a letter on 25 May 2023 to take "appropriate measures" for barring Bangladesh military and law enforcement personnel from participating in the UN peacekeeping operations. Similarly, just few days before this years UN Peacekeepers Day, a Germany-based international broadcaster have telecasted a fictious documentary advocating for the same cause. To note, such stands were never observed against other troops contributing countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Chad or Ethiopia whose armed forces are accused of grave human rights violations in their own countries. Moreover, unlike Bangladesh, several participating countries in UN peacekeeping operations do not even have democracy in their home country and are directly or indirectly ruled by military dictators.
Therefore, heinous efforts like these will not only negatively impact Bangladeshi citizens perception regarding foreign countries or media, but also create deep rooted suspicion about their motives and activities.
There are other misleading information spread by few groups and media regarding Bangladesh. One such claim is that the UN peacekeeping missions have been a major source for Bangladeshs foreign remittance earning. But in reality, there are only about 6 thousand Bangladeshi peacekeepers (as of 31 March 2024) currently stationed in around 12 locations across the world, which is quite negligible compared to over 5 million migrant workers around the world having significant contribution in the countrys foreign exchange reserve. Again, the salary structure of the peacekeepers are sometimes overstated, but the benefits are not pretty lucrative if compared to the harsh and dangerous operating conditions and complex health risk factors peacekeepers used to face. In fact, the delegates of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) of the UN have regularly emphasized on the need for increasing budgets to adequately fund peacekeeping operations.
On a concluding note, it may be mentioned that age-old partnership and trusted relations between international entities cannot be ruined overnight with mere propaganda driven by ill political motives. The outstanding track record Bangladeshi peacekeepers have set over the years with their long and diversified experience, sincere dedication, and utmost professionalism, still keeps Bangladesh as a top choice not only for the UN but for the host countries as well. Nevertheless, the government of Bangladesh should not overlook the ongoing propaganda, rather counter those conspiracies by effective diplomatic means and make international community realize the importance and potentiality of Bangladesh for global security, prosperity and sustainable peace.
The writer is a Doctoral Fellow, Ghent University, Belgium and Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka
