International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members serves to commemorate those brave individuals who either remain in captivity or have gone missing while on mission. It aims to promote awareness about the perils faced by peacekeepers, while also calling for universal respect for international humanitarian laws to ensure their safety. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder of the continuous pursuit for truth and justice for the distressed families yearning for the return or closure about the fate of their loved ones.

In relation to the United Kingdom, Peacekeeping holds a prominent place in its foreign involvement. Throughout history, thousands of British military, police and civilian personnel have participated in Peacekeeping missions worldwide. Some have unfortunately been detained or gone missing amidst their mission, leading to a strong resonance of this Observance within the country. The UK recognises and respects the sacrifices made by these individuals and values the significance of this Observance to stress on the safety of peacekeepers.

In terms of how this Observance is marked in the United Kingdom, various activities occur rallying support for detained or missing peacekeepers. These include public commemoration events, educational initiatives in schools, and media campaigns to shed light on the situation of peacekeepers. At the governmental level, focus is concentrated on diplomatic efforts to demand adherence to international laws from conflict-stricken nations. This observance occurs annually on March 25th, reinforcing the collective manifestations of concern for peacekeepers who have sacrificed their liberty for the cause of global harmony.

Facts about this day

• According to the United Nations (UN), there are more than 14,000 civilians serving in UN peacekeeping operations around the world.
• This day remembers Alec Collett, a former journalist who was working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Collett was abducted by armed gunmen in 1985 while helping Palestine refugees in the Middle East. His body was eventually found in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley in 2009.
• The UK has integral roles in several UN agencies like UNICEF, UNHCR, WHO, and others, thus showcasing their active participation in maintaining the safety of staff.
• The UK has robust laws and mechanisms in place to ensure the safety and welfare of its citizens, including diplomatic protections to secure the release of those who have been unjustly detained while serving overseas.

In the News and Trending in the UK for International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

Top things to do in the UK for this observance

• Review the UN General Assembly's adopted resolution to help protect UN personnel.
• Watch a video about the different member states showing their support for UN personnel.
• Help raise awareness about Detained and Missing Peacekeepers through Social Media campaigns.such as #PeoplePeaceProgress.
• Watch a Documentary to learn more about Detained and Missing Peacekeepers:
  Peacekeepers: A Journey Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death - a documentary that dives deep into the world of peacekeeping missions, including the challenges and dangers they face in conflict zones that often result in missing or detained peacekeepers. It primarily follows Canadian peacekeepers but is informative generally. It might not be available on mainstream UK platforms like BBC iPlayer or Channel 4, but you can look for it on international platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or independent documentary websites.