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 seeks to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of peacekeepers who have been imprisoned or gone missing in the course of their duty. This observance also serves as a valuable platform to call global attention to the plight of these heroes, urging international responses and accountability for their unexplained disappearances. It is an occasion of broad significance, fostering deeper appreciation and understanding of the perils peacekeepers often encounter in global conflict zones.

Canada, home to a sizable peacekeeping force, has a historical connection with the Observance of Detained and Missing Peacekeepers. A proud contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions since their inception in 1948, Canada has witnessed its peacekeepers undergo risks globally, some of whom have unfortunately become casualties of these circumstances. As such, the occasion resonates deeply with the Canadian populace, which believes firmly in the values of justice, peace, and human rights that these peacekeepers uphold. Veterans and serving members of peacekeeping missions, their families, and Canadians at large remember and honor those unaccounted for in line of duty.

In observing the Detained and Missing Peacekeepers, Canada employs a variety of commemorative gestures. Ceremonies, often featuring keynote addresses by veteran peacekeepers or government officials, are common. The media plays a substantial role in raising awareness and educating the public about the peacekeepers' experiences. Furthermore, activities like vigils or moments of silence are also often organized across the country. This observance occurs annually on March 25th, reinforcing Canada's commitment to global peacekeeping efforts and the call for justice for detained and missing peacekeepers.

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 day also acknowledges the 1991 brutal assassination of Alec Collett, a former journalist who was working for the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees when he was kidnapped by armed gunmen.
• Keeping the peace means more than defeating our enemies; it means offering our hand of friendship to those who have lost their way. - Lester B. Pearson (1967)
  The former Canadian Prime Minister spoke these words during his Nobel Peace Prize Lecture in 1967.

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

Top things to do in Canada 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.
• Visit Places like Human Rights Monuments: Canada has many significant sites related to human rights, such as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg or the Human Rights Monument in Ottawa.
• Read a book to learn more about Detained and Missing Staff members:
  We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders: A Memoir of Love and Resistance - by Linda Sarsour
  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Origins, Drafting and Intent - by Johannes Morsink