Peacekeeping missions
Blue Helmets from Bangladesh glitter in United Nations
Bangladeshs peacekeepers in UN mission is the largest troops-contributing country at present in the world with the strength of 8,420 peacekeepers out of 105,480 UN peacekeepers. According to the UN data Bangladeshi
peacekeepers until now have completed participation in 54 missions in 40 countries. Bangladeshi peacekeepers have built their image through their sincere and exemplary competence and earned the trust in the Blue Helmet family and remained a leading troop contributing country for long. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told BSS here that the peacekeepers from Bangladesh showed their exemplary competence and earned respect from associating peacekeepers.
According to the Centre for Research Information (CRI), Bangladesh stepped into the family of Blue Helmet through participation in UNIIMOG (Iraq-Iran) in 1988 with 15 military observers from Bangladesh Army.
Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force joined the UN Peacekeeping Operation (UNPKO) in 1993, while Bangladesh Police joined in 1989. Talking to BSS Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Principal Secretary to the Prime Ministers Office said that the largest and successful contribution could be made due to the bold and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The government is committed to show zero tolerance against terrorism and violent extremism which are also global challenges, Azad said. Home ministry source said that the country received an offer for some key appointments in the peacekeeping missions including in the UN headquarters in New York.
The sources said Awami League government will provide more facilities and equipment and ensure provisions to police and army for strengthening the countrys peacekeeping role in the world.
UN data said Police personnel from Bangladesh in the missions stood at 1,102, while troops 7,246. Ethiopia remains in the second position with 8,307, India 7,793 troops and Pakistan 7,675 peacekeepers.
UN Under-Secretary General Atul Khare requested for deploy more women in the missions he peacekeeping troop The CRI data said that Bangladesh Police is one of the top contributing countries of police with remarkable commitments in the UN peacekeeping. CRI said it all began in 1989 when police participated in the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia. Since then, Bangladesh Police has contributed a total number of 14901 personnel in 21 UN Missions.
Bangladesh is also the top contributor of female police officers to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, with 205 such officers being deployed currently. Bangladesh female peacekeeper has placed them as key driving force to reduce gender-based violence, conflict and confrontation, providing sense of security especially for women and children, mentoring female police officer in the local area and thus empowering women in the host country and promoting social cohesion.
