Peacekeeping
has proven to be one of the most effective tools available to the UN to help
host countries transition from conflict to peace.
Peacekeeping has unique capabilities, including legitimacy, burden sharing, and the ability to deploy and support military and police forces from around the world, linking them with local peacekeepers to promote diversity.
UN peacekeepers provide
security and political and peace support to help countries make the difficult
transition from conflict to peace.
Three
basic principles guide United Nations peacekeeping operations:
•
Consent of third parties
•
Impartiality
•
Do not use force except in personal defense and security of warrant.
Peacekeeping
has evolved and over the past two decades has been incorporated into many
arrangements. There are currently twelve United Nations peacekeeping missions
deployed on three continents.
Today's
various peacekeeping operations are called not only to support peace and
security, but also to support the political process, protect civilians, help in
disarmament, disarmament and military retreat; supporting the organization of
elections, protecting and promoting human rights and assisting in the
restoration of the rule of law.
Success
is not guaranteed, as UN peacekeeping is almost a definition of going into a
physically and politically difficult environment. However, we have amassed a
remarkable record of success in our 60 years of existence, including winning
the Nobel Peace Prize.
Peacekeeping
is always dynamic and evolving in the face of new challenges. Former Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon established a 17-member independent High-Level Panel on UN
Peace Operations to conduct a comprehensive review of the current state of UN
peace operations and the emerging needs of the future.
What is Peacekeeping?
Peacekeeping
refers to the deployment of national or international forces for the purpose of
helping to control and resolve armed conflicts between or within states. Most
peacekeeping operations are carried out under the authority of the United
Nations (UN) and are often led by the United Nations, but local peacekeeping
operations can also be carried out and, in some cases, States have undertaken
such operations.
Peacekeeping
forces are normally deployed with the consent of the parties to a conflict and
in support of a ceasefire or other agreed peace measures.
Peacekeeping
forces are therefore generally unarmed or lightly armed and use the minimum
force necessary and only exceptionally. Enforced peace refers to the use of
military means to enforce peace against the will of conflicting parties when,
for example, a ceasefire breaks down.
Peace
enforcement is often beyond the capabilities of peacekeeping forces, so it is
best done by heavily armed forces. One of the most successful innovations in
the United Nations system is the creation of a peacekeeping mission.
Peacekeeping is one of the many functions of the United Nations to support international peace and security around the world
Other activities are:
· Conflict Prevention and Mediation
· Peacemaking
· Peace Enforcement
· peace Building
Conflict prevention, peace-making,
peace-keeping and peace-enforcement are often not organized systematically or
systematically. Experience has shown that they should be seen to go hand in
hand. If they are used in small pieces or isolated, they do not provide the
necessary comprehensive process to solve the causes of conflict and reduce the
possibility of re-emergence of conflict.
Conflict Prevention
Conflict
prevention includes political measures to prevent inter-state or intra-state
conflict and conflict from escalating into conflict.
It
includes early warning, information gathering and careful analysis of the cause
of the conflict. Anti-conflict operations may include the use of the "good
offices" of the Secretary-General, anti-conflict operations by United
Nations officials or conflict mediation by the Department of State.
Peacemaking
Peacemaking
generally involves a process to resolve ongoing conflicts and also involves
political processes to bring conflicting parties to an agreement. The UN Secretary-General
can use the "facilitated agency" to resolve the dispute. Peacemakers
can also be ministers, governments, state organizations, regional organizations
or the United Nations. Peacemaking efforts can also be done by government
officials, non-government organizations, or private individuals.
Peace Enforcement
Peace
enforcement involves the application of coercive measures, including the use of
military force. It requires the authorization of the Security Council.
It
is used to restore international peace and security in situations where the
Security Council decides to act in the face of threats to peace, violations of
peace or aggression. The Council may use, as appropriate, regional bodies and
institutions for the implementation of laws under its jurisdiction and in
accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
Peace Building
Peace building aims to reduce the risk of
relapse or return to conflict by strengthening national capacity at all levels
for conflict management and laying the foundations for peace and sustainable
development. It is a complex and long-term process to create the necessary
conditions for lasting peace. The peace process looks at the main issues that
affect public services in the state and strengthen the state's power to perform
its duties efficiently and effectively.
Role of Peacekeeping or the mission of Peacekeeping
The
line between conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peace law and
peace enforcement is becoming increasingly blurred. Peace work is not always a
one-size-fits-all job.
Although
UN peacekeeping missions are deployed to support the implementation of
cease-fires or peace agreements, they are often required to play an important
role in peacemaking efforts and may be involved in peace-building activities
in time.
Today's
various peacekeeping operations support the political process, protect
civilians, assist in the disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation of
ex-combatants; supporting the organization of elections, protecting and promoting
human rights and assisting in the restoration of the rule of law.
UN
peacekeeping operations can use force to defend themselves, protect their
rights and protect civilians, especially in situations where states are unable
to provide security and maintain public order.
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