International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members seeks to honour those peacekeeping forces who have been detained, abducted, or reported missing while on active duty. This shared moment of commemoration serves to reinforce the importance of their work, raise awareness of the personal risks they undertake for global peace, and advocate for their safe return or retrieval. It serves as a stark reminder that peacekeeping missions, often undertaken in volatile and conflict-ridden zones, entail significant personal risks.

The significance of this observance resonates deeply with New Zealand, given its long-standing commitment to international peacekeeping. New Zealand’s involvement dates back to 1948, with peacekeeping forces serving in various global locations, including Bosnia, East Timor, and Solomon Islands. Tragically, some of these peacekeepers have been detained or have gone missing, their fates often uncertain. These brave individuals tacitly represent the sobering realities faced by New Zealand's peacekeepers and their families back home, thus underscoring the importance of the Observance of Detained and Missing Peacekeepers to New Zealanders.

In New Zealand, this Observance is embodied in various ways, such as through public addresses and peaceful gatherings. It is a time for the nation to come together to express solidarity with the detained and missing peacekeepers, and their families. It offers a platform to reaffirm the commitment to the safe recovery or closure for those affected. This observance is held annually on March 25th however.

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 very first time New Zealand provided peacekeepers was during the Suez Crisis in 1956. This operation, known as Operation Rutherford, did not result in any New Zealand peacekeepers detained or gone missing but marked the beginning of New Zealand's regular contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.
• New Zealand first sent peacekeepers overseas in the late 1950s as part of a United Nations Emergency Force in response to the Suez Crisis.

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

Top things to do in NZ 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.
• Visiting national museums or exhibitions in New Zealand that may have exhibits relevant to the subject, like the Auckland War Memorial Museum or The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
• Participate in Fundraising Events: NGOs in New Zealand may organize fundraising events to support the families of detained and missing staff members. These can range from charity runs to bake sales and more.