Protect Peacekeepers

It is needless to mention that the United Nations (UN) is the world’s largest organisation, created with the aim of establishing international peace and security. Its various peacekeeping missions operating in different conflict zones across the globe have been instrumental to restoring peace and safeguarding the lives of civilians. But what happens to the notion of peace and security when such missions themselves are put in grave danger?

Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon are currently fighting each other. This war has created great obstacles to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). UNIFIL was created in 1978 by the United Nations Security Council after Israel withdrew its troops from Lebanon with the purpose of ensuring peace and security there. The mission comprises more than 10,000 troops from as many as four dozen countries who are under the scrutiny of Israel. It has been reported that the Israeli army has attacked the mission more than a dozen times. And apparently, the Israel army’s use of white phosphorus has already left fifteen peacekeepers injured. The mission’s bases have also been damaged in the attacks from the Israeli side.  

Many nations, including Nepal, have condemned such an action of Israel. Those countries have contributed to the global body’s peacekeeping missions. It is worth mentioning that Nepal today remains to be the largest contributor of troops to the peacekeeping missions. Since 1958, Nepali troops have been involved in restoring and maintaining peace in many war-torn regions. Nepal prides itself in being committed to contributing in peace and security and establishing itself as a peace-loving nation in the international forum. However, the current issue is a reminder for Nepal to be more proactive in protecting its troops deployed for peacekeeping. 

Recently, as the peacekeepers working in Lebanon have been at increased risk of being attacked by the Israeli troops, the UN is reported to have come up with backup plans for their safeguarding. The Nepali Army is also considering preparing its own contingency plan on bringing back peacekeepers in case the war keeps escalating. The deliberate attack on the peacekeeping mission has been described as ‘intolerable’ by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Such an activity is considered highly unlawful. And it is also termed as a war crime. The Rome Statute lists the intentional targeting of humanitarian and peacekeeping missions as war crimes. It is also a violation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701. 

Being a member country of the United Nations, Israel must immediately stop its attacks against the peacekeeping forces. And Nepal should be proactive in its approach to using its diplomatic mechanisms to raise voice and create pressure against the attacks on the peacekeepers. The UN holds the biggest responsibility for safeguarding the peacekeeping missions. This matter should not be taken lightly and the peacekeepers should be protected at all cost. 

Amidst growing numbers of wars and conflicts, the world today is in need of restoring peace and security. That is possible when global organisations like the UN are allowed to function freely. The UN member states must be mindful when it comes to partaking in war. They should in no way disrupt the inviolability of UN premises. Hopefully, the situation will be improved immediately so that peacekeepers could resume their duties in a smooth manner.