Noting that UN peacekeeping operations are currently not in a position toresolve conflicts, insurgencies and cross-border attacks, Pakistan Mondayunderscored the need for the Security Council to utilize its mechanisms topromote political solutions for establishing peace in troubled regions.
“UN peacekeeping has so far not been used to impose peace; but rather tohelp preserve peace and foster conditions for the political resolution ofthe underlying conflicts and disputes,” Ambassador Munir Akram told theSpecial Committee on Peacekeeping Operations at its first meeting of the2021 session.
“It is, of course, another matter that the international community,including the Security Council, has been unable to find political solutionsto several long-standing disputes – such as the one over Jammu and Kashmir,where one of the oldest UN Missions (UNMOGIP) is stationed – and toconflicts – such as inter- State and intra-State eruptions – that haveproliferated and escalated in recent years, causing massive suffering andhuman rights violations, and posing threats to international peace andsecurity,” the Pakistani envoy said.
The Special Committee, Security Council and the General Assembly mustjointly formulate “realistic mandates” for peacekeeping which could bediscussed by the committee’s working groups before they are adopted by the15-member Council, Ambassador Akram said.
New capabilities, he added, could also enable the United Nations to enhancethe performance of its peacekeepers.
The Special Committee’s three-week session, which opened Monday, will focuson some of the pressing issues facing roughly 90,000 military, police andcivilian personnel currently serving in 12 operations around the world.
UN Peacekeeping is a “success story”, Ambassador Akram said, recalling thatPakistan had deployed more than 200,000 troops to 46 missions.
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He commended the United Nations for protecting the peacekeepers during thecoronavirus pandemic, expressing the hope that all peacekeepers wouldreceive the vaccine “quickly and equitably”.
The Pakistani envoy deplored a recent incident in which United Nationsobservers came under attack from their mission’s co-host country —obviously referring to the firing by Indian troops from across theLine-of-Control in the disputed Kashmir region that damaged the UN vehiclecarrying two UNMOGIP officers.
Ambassador Akram emphasized the role of women peacekeepers in peacekeeping,specially in the protection of civilian populations.
“It is vital for the UN peacekeepers to facilitate the transition ofconflict countries and regions to the stage of peace-building. This is theendeavor of Pakistani peacekeepers wherever possible.”
