Memorial Wall for fallen Peacekeepers

Context: The UN General Assembly has adopted a draft resolution introduced by India to establish a memorial wall in the UN Headquarters to honour fallen peacekeepers. More on News:

• India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador introduced the draft resolution titled ‘Memorial wall for fallen United Nations peacekeepers’ in the UN General Assembly hall.
• The resolution was co-sponsored by nearly 190 UN Member States and was adopted by consensus.
• UNGA welcomed the initiative of Member States to establish a memorial wall at a suitable and prominent place at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
• Time to construct: The resolution stipulates that the wall be completed within three years of the text’s adoption.
• Virtual memorial wall by India: 
  • In 2015, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN launched a virtual memorial wall, dedicated to the Indian troops who made the supreme sacrifice while doing active service as UN peacekeepers.
  • This initiative was a precursor to the eventual construction of the Peacekeepers Memorial Wall.

About UN Peacekeeping:

• Global partnership: UN peacekeeping is a unique global partnership. It brings together the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Secretariat, troop and police contributors and the host governments in a combined effort to maintain international peace and security.
• Backed by UN Charter: Its strength lies in the legitimacy of the UN Charter and in the wide range of contributing countries that participate and provide precious resources.
• Purpose: 
  • To provide security and the political and peacebuilding support to help countries make the difficult, early transition from conflict to peace.
  • To facilitate the political process
  • To protect civilians
  • To assist in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants
  • To support the organization of elections
  • To protect and promote human rights and assist in restoring the rule of law

• Guiding principles:
  • Consent of the parties
  • Impartiality
  • Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.

• There are currently 12 UN peacekeeping operations deployed on three continents.

News Source: The Hindu, UN