165 peacekeepers dead, 258 injured in 3 decades

GBNEWS24DESK//

In the last three decades, as many as 165 Bangladeshi peacekeepers lost their lives, while 258 have been injured in the line of duty in different UN missions to bring peace to various war-ravaged parts of the world.

Brig Gen Md Sadequzzaman, defence adviser of Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, said this while briefing a 26-member delegation of US Army War College on Friday. It has been visiting Bangladesh mission every year in recent times to learn about the country’s experiences in the field of peace operation.

This partnership comes as recognition of Bangladesh’s remarkable contribution to UN peace operations and the reputation and professionalism of peacekeepers. A senior officer of Bangladesh Army undergoing training in the War College was a part of this delegation.

Sadequzzaman said Bangladesh was always at the forefront of UN peacekeeping operations. The participation of all branches of military forces including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and police in peacekeeping operation is rare in the world.

So far, 1,81,661 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have participated in 56 UN missions. Currently, there are 7,144 Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed in different missions.

He also mentioned that there are currently 542 women peacekeepers deployed in missions. At present, Bangladesh Police has a female police unit in the mission.

Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Muhammad A Muhith focused on various issues including the country’s engagements in maintaining international peace and security.

He highlighted Bangladesh’s socio-economic success, the leadership in adopting two resolutions titled “Culture of Peace” and “Women, Peace and Security” at the UN and a few other resolutions introduced by Bangladesh, such as Vision Impairment, Prevention of Drowning, Natural Plants Fibers and Doha Programme of Action.

Muhith said Bangladesh is now serving as the chair of the Peace Building Commission, the president of the UN Women Executive Board, and recently Bangladesh was elected as the member of the UN Human Rights Council securing the highest votes from the Asia-Pacific Group.

The diplomat also discussed Bangladesh’s various initiatives at the UN to resolve the Rohingya crisis.