The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers will be observed in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world to honour the memory of the UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the cause of peace, UNB reports. Bangladesh lost a total of 133 peacekeepers since 1989, the year it had started sending peacekeepers to conflict-stricken countries to establish peace there, according to Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations. Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors of military and police peacekeepers to the UN.
UN offices, alongside Member States and non-governmental organisations, will arrange events to honour fallen peacekeepers on the day.
While the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is on May 29, the Organization on Wednesday held ceremonies to pay tribute to the more than 3,500 people who have died on duty since 1948 and acknowledge the dedication and courage of those serving on the ground.
Three peacekeepers of Bangladesh who laid down their lives while serving in the UN peace operations last year were honored by awarding “Dag Hammarskjöld Medal” along with other 117 personnel of 43 peacekeepers contributing countries at the United Nations.
Md Abul Bashar, Sainik of Bangladesh Army, serving in the UN stabilization mission in Mali made the supreme sacrifice on October 13 last year.
Constable Motaher Hosen and Constable Md. Samidul Islam of Bangladesh Police serving in the same Mission also died on 15 May, last year.
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Masud Bin Momen received medal for the three deceased peacekeepers of Bangladesh while Mission’s Defense Advisor Brigadier General Khan Firoz Ahmed and the official of Bangladesh Army, Navy, Airforce and Police working at UN headquarters, were also present on the occasion.