PRESS RELEASE

UNAMID remembers, celebrates Peacekeepers

El Fasher, 29 May 2011 – UNAMID celebrated today the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers in Darfur’s three states. The occasion was to pay tribute to the more than 120,000 military, police and civilians serving worldwide under the blue flag and to remember those who lost their lives in the cause of peace. This year’s theme, “Law. Order. Peace,” focused on the efforts to strengthen the rule of law.

Brigade General Qazi Abidus Samad (Bangladesh) lays a wreath in honour of fallen peacekeepers.

Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran

The programme in El Fasher, North Darfur, opened with a military and police parade and a solemn wreath-laying ceremony. It also included cultural activities by UNAMID’s contingents, local groups, and an exhibition by the Mission’s sections.

On behalf of Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari, Deputy JSR Mohamed B. Yonis presided over the event and conveyed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on Peacekeepers’ Day. The statement highlighted that the deployment of blue helmets “is a manifestation of our collective conviction that people who have survived a war should not have to suffer again through a period of insecurity, injustice and fear – and that only by removing these conditions can we engender lasting peace.”

“Upholding the rule of law, the theme of this year’s Day, is essential to successful peacekeeping.  This requires strengthening confidence in police, justice systems and correctional services.  That is why the United Nations trains police to never abuse their power, supports the proper functioning of courts to serve justice, and works for humane conditions of detention.”

In Darfur, the UNAMID Rule of Law section assists in the strengthening of an independent judicial and correctional system, as well as in the promotion of human rights. With support from UN Agencies, the Mission has organized and facilitated trainings for prison staff on basic penitentiary duties and documentation and record keeping; developed livelihood programmes for the rehabilitation of prisoners; improved living conditions in prisons through infrastructural upgrades; and, provided legal aid and logistical support to detention centres.

UNAMID, tasked with supporting the protection of civilians in Darfur, has lost 28 peacekeepers to hostile action since beginning operations in January 2008.

 Nepalese Special Forces members perform a tradicional dance at the ceremony. Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts

Kemal Saïki, Director, saiki@un.org, tel.: +249 (0)92 244 3529, mobile: +249 (0)92 241 0020
Chris Cycmanick, Officer-in-Charge, Media Relations, cycmanick@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)91 253 8436