Staff Reporter:Today is International United Nations Peacekeeping Day. Bangladesh has played a strong role in establishing peace in 40 countries of the world. The country’s reputation has spread worldwide with the service of humanity at the risk of life. With the participation of 1 lakh 76 thousand 669 Bangladeshis, 54 UN peacekeeping missions have been completed in 40 countries. Of these, 1 lakh 56 thousand 353 were members of the armed forces and 20 thousand 316 were members of the police. Among the armed forces, there were 1,42,790 in the army, 6,012 in the navy and 7,551 in the air force. Of these, 2,184 were female peacekeepers. Among them 429 are women in the army, 22 thousand in the navy, 110 in the air force and 1,623 in the police force.
At present, there are 6,742 peacekeepers working in 9 UN peacekeeping missions in Bangladesh. Of these, 6,241 are members of the armed forces and 501 are members of the police. Among the armed forces, 5,308 are from the army, 345 from the navy and 588 from the air force.
At present, there are 284 Bangladeshi women peacekeepers on UN peacekeeping missions. Among them are 119 from the army, five from the navy, 10 from the air force and 150 from the police.
Bangladesh is currently the largest sender of peacekeepers in UN peacekeeping operations. So far, 159 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have died in the line of duty. Even after that, the peacekeepers of Bangladesh are playing an important role in the UN peacekeeping missions. They have mingled with the people of the countries concerned. Appreciating the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, Sierra Leone wanted to make Bengali the main language of their country. But since they could not do so according to the constitution, Bengali is now the second language of the country. Participating in UN peacekeeping operations since 1988, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have shown the highest professionalism, loyalty and courage. Their unique contributions have brightened the country’s image in the international arena and enabled our peacekeepers to secure a dignified position in peacekeeping missions.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal to 129 peacekeepers from 44 countries, including eight Bangladeshis who sacrificed their lives in UN peacekeeping operations. The medal was presented at a ceremony marking International Peacekeeping Day at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday, local time. Among the recipients of the medal are 8 peacekeepers of Bangladesh, which is the highest as a single country. Through the virtual ceremony, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres handed over the medals of their respective countries to the Permanent Representatives of 44 countries including Bangladesh. Eight Bangladeshi peacekeepers who surrendered while on duty are: Abdul Mohammad, the warrant officer of the Minusma Mission in Mali. Halim, the warrant officer of the Manusco mission in the Congo. Saiful Imam Bhuiyan, Sergeant. Ziaur Rahman, Sergeant MD Mubarak Hossain and Lance Corporal. Saiful Islam, Lance Corporal of the Minusca Mission in the Central African Republic. Abdullah Al Mamun and Sergeant. Ibrahim and Nurul Amin, Wasserman of the UNMIS Mission in South Sudan. The medal was received on behalf of Bangladesh by Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United Nations. The mission’s defense adviser Brigadier General Mohammad also participated in the virtual event. Chadekuzzaman.
BP/SM
