International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members
The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is an annual observance established by the United Nations (UN) to honor and support staff members who have been detained, imprisoned, or gone missing while serving the organization. This day serves as a reminder of the risks faced by UN personnel in conflict zones and unstable regions, and it underscores the importance of ensuring their safety and security. The observance also highlights the need for accountability and justice for those who have been targeted or harmed while carrying out their duties.
Origins and History
The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members was established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 9, 1994, through Resolution A/RES/49/59. The date, March 25th, was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the abduction of Alec Collett, a British journalist and UN staff member who was working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Collett was kidnapped by armed gunmen in Lebanon on March 25, 1985, while on assignment. His remains were not discovered until 2009, more than two decades after his disappearance.
The establishment of this day was a response to the growing concern over the safety and security of UN personnel, particularly in regions affected by conflict, political instability, and terrorism. The UN recognized the need to honor the sacrifices of its staff members and to advocate for their protection and the resolution of cases involving detained or missing personnel.
Significance and Purpose
The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members holds significant importance for several reasons:
Honoring Sacrifices: The day serves as a tribute to the courage and dedication of UN staff members who have been detained, imprisoned, or gone missing while serving the organization. It acknowledges the risks they face in carrying out their duties and honors their contributions to peace, development, and humanitarian efforts.
Raising Awareness: The observance aims to raise awareness about the dangers faced by UN personnel in conflict zones and unstable regions. It highlights the need for greater protection and security measures to ensure the safety of staff members.
Advocacy and Accountability: The day is a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to advocate for the release of detained staff members and the resolution of cases involving missing personnel. It emphasizes the importance of accountability and justice for those who have been targeted or harmed.
Support for Families: The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members also recognizes the impact on the families of detained or missing personnel. It underscores the need to provide support and assistance to families during difficult times and to ensure that their voices are heard.
Promoting International Law: The observance reinforces the importance of upholding international law, including the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, which provides legal protections for UN staff members. It calls for greater adherence to these laws and for the prosecution of those who violate them.
Global Observance
The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is observed in various ways around the world. The United Nations and its affiliated organizations play a central role in organizing events and activities to mark the day, but the observance also involves governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and individuals who support the cause.
Memorial Services: Many UN offices and missions hold memorial services to honor detained and missing staff members. These services often include moments of silence, the reading of names, and the lighting of candles to remember those who have been affected.
Advocacy Campaigns: The day is marked by advocacy campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the risks faced by UN personnel and the need for greater protection. These campaigns often involve the distribution of informational materials, social media outreach, and public events to engage the broader community.
Panel Discussions and Seminars: The UN and its partners organize panel discussions, seminars, and workshops to discuss the challenges faced by staff members and to explore ways to enhance their safety and security. These events often feature experts, policymakers, and family members of detained or missing personnel.
Calls for Action: The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is an opportunity for the UN and its supporters to call for action on specific cases involving detained or missing personnel. This may include appeals to governments, armed groups, and other stakeholders to release detained staff members or to provide information about missing individuals.
Support for Families: The day also focuses on providing support to the families of detained or missing staff members. This may include counseling services, financial assistance, and efforts to ensure that families are kept informed about the status of their loved ones.
The Legal Framework for Protecting UN Personnel
The safety and security of UN personnel are protected under international law, particularly through the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. This convention, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1994, establishes legal obligations for states to protect UN personnel and to prosecute those who harm or threaten them.
Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel: The convention defines UN personnel as individuals engaged in UN operations, including peacekeepers, humanitarian workers, and other staff members. It requires states to take measures to ensure their safety and security, including the prevention of attacks, the prosecution of perpetrators, and the provision of assistance in the event of an incident.
Optional Protocol to the Convention: In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted an optional protocol to the convention, which extends its protections to personnel involved in delivering humanitarian, political, or development assistance in peacebuilding operations. This protocol recognizes the evolving nature of UN operations and the need to adapt legal protections accordingly.
International Humanitarian Law: UN personnel are also protected under international humanitarian law, which governs the conduct of armed conflict and seeks to minimize its impact on civilians and humanitarian workers. This includes the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, which provide protections for individuals not taking part in hostilities, including UN personnel.
Accountability and Justice: The legal framework emphasizes the importance of accountability and justice for crimes committed against UN personnel. States are required to investigate and prosecute those responsible for attacks, abductions, or other forms of harm. The International Criminal Court (ICC) also has jurisdiction over crimes against UN personnel in certain circumstances.
Challenges and Risks Faced by UN Personnel
UN personnel operate in some of the most dangerous and unstable regions of the world, where they face a range of risks and challenges. These include:
Armed Conflict and Violence: UN staff members often work in areas affected by armed conflict, where they may be exposed to violence, including attacks, bombings, and shootings. Peacekeepers, in particular, are at risk of being targeted by armed groups.
Kidnapping and Hostage-Taking: UN personnel are sometimes kidnapped or taken hostage by armed groups or criminal organizations. These incidents can last for extended periods and pose significant risks to the safety and well-being of the individuals involved.
Political Instability and Terrorism: In regions affected by political instability or terrorism, UN personnel may be targeted because of their association with the organization or their role in promoting peace and development. Terrorist groups, in particular, have been known to attack UN offices and personnel.
Lack of Legal Protections: In some countries, the legal framework for protecting UN personnel may be weak or poorly enforced. This can leave staff members vulnerable to arbitrary detention, harassment, or other forms of abuse.
Health and Safety Risks: In addition to security risks, UN personnel may face health and safety challenges, particularly in regions affected by disease outbreaks, natural disasters, or poor infrastructure. Humanitarian workers, in particular, may be exposed to hazardous conditions while delivering aid.
Notable Cases of Detained and Missing UN Staff Members
Over the years, there have been several high-profile cases of UN staff members who have been detained, imprisoned, or gone missing while serving the organization. These cases highlight the risks faced by personnel and the need for greater protection and accountability.
Alec Collett: As mentioned earlier, Alec Collett was a British journalist working for UNRWA when he was abducted in Lebanon in 1985. His case became a symbol of the dangers faced by UN personnel, and his remains were discovered in 2009.
Alain Penel and Didier Fassio: In 2003, two French UN staff members, Alain Penel and Didier Fassio, were kidnapped in Côte d'Ivoire while working for the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI). They were released after several months in captivity.
John Solecki: In 2009, John Solecki, an American staff member of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), was kidnapped in Quetta, Pakistan. He was released after two months of captivity.
Saifura Khorsa and Hauwa Liman: In 2018, two Nigerian midwives working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in northeastern Nigeria were abducted by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Both women were later killed, sparking international outrage.
Recent Cases: In recent years, there have been several cases of UN staff members being detained or going missing in countries such as Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan. These cases underscore the ongoing risks faced by personnel in conflict zones.
Conclusion
The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is a vital observance that highlights the risks faced by UN personnel and the need for greater protection and accountability. It serves as a tribute to the courage and dedication of staff members who have been detained, imprisoned, or gone missing while serving the organization, and it underscores the importance of ensuring their safety and security.
Through memorial services, advocacy campaigns, and calls for action, the day raises awareness about the challenges faced by UN personnel and promotes efforts to resolve cases involving detained or missing staff members. It also reinforces the importance of upholding international law and providing support to the families of affected personnel.
As the UN continues its work in some of the world's most dangerous regions, the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who dedicate their lives to promoting peace, development, and humanitarian assistance. By honoring their contributions and advocating for their protection, we can work towards a safer and more just world for all.
Photo from Freepik
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