New York – The 112 UN peacekeepers who were killed in the line of duty in 2011 – adding to the almost 3,000 military, police and civilian staff members who have lost their lives as a result of acts of violence, accidents and disease since the first UN peacekeeping mission in 1948 – were remembered here yesterday.

On 29 May of each year, tribute is paid to their sacrifice as part of the observance of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers – a day set aside to remember the courage of those individuals who put their lives on the line when they deploy to UN missions around the world.

The theme for this year’s observance was Peacekeeping is a global partnership,’ reflecting the key role play by partners such as member states, host countries and regional organisations in helping the UN address threats to international peace and security.

The head of UN peacekeeping, Under-Secretary-General Hervé Ladsous, spoke of the sacrifice made by the UN’s ‘blue helmets.’

“I would say these people are very courageous.

“They bring their professional knowledge, be it as soldiers, as policemen or policewomen, be it as experts of this or that field, they bring it to the cause which has to be upheld in that particular situation.

“They bring their enthusiasm, they bring their imagination. They bring their courage.

“I think this is really an illustration of the commitment of many individuals to all the ideals and all the values which are at the core of the United Nations system. And that is quite remarkable.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said of the 112 fallen peacekeepers during a wreath-laying ceremony at UN headquarters here: “They may be soldiers, police or national staff. But there are no differences among them in terms of the risks they faced, the contributions they made, and the pride they took in their service to the United Nations. 

“The difference between an ordinary person and a hero is that the hero voluntarily braves danger to save others.”

So far this year, another 31 peacekeepers have died while serving the organisation.

Currently there are 120,000 peacekeepers serving in 17 missions around the world.

These peacekeeping operations receive contributions of military and police personnel from 116 member states.
DD