PHL calls for reforms in UN peacekeeping operations
Citing more complex and complicated operational environments, the Philippines reiterated last month its “strong call” for reforms in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
“We need to ensure that mandates of peacekeeping missions are responsive to current conditions,” said Irene Susan B. Natividad, the Philippine deputy permanent representative to the UN in New York.
“We also need to ensure that the entire policy, structural and operations architecture of peacekeeping are duly supported,” she told those present at the 2015 Substantive Session of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations held in New York last February 18.
The appeal came months after 81 Filipino peacekeepers were trapped in a standoff in Golan Heights after armed anti-government troops occupied UN positions in August 2014. The incident prompted the Philippine government to pull out its over 200 peacekeepers in Golan Heights ahead of schedule.
Citing the Golan Heights incident as an example, Natividad said new factors not contemplated during the formulation of mandates – such as anti-government armed groups and pandemics that continue to undermine the implementation of UN peacekeeping mandates – must be taken into consideration.
“Clearly this situation cannot and should not continue,” Natividad said. “It is our obligation as one peacekeeping community to ensure that peacekeeping missions can successfully implement their mandates.”
Natividad also said special focus must be put into providing “truthful and timely information” to troop and police contributing countries like the Philippines during missions.
She added that adequate self-defense equipment and other provisions must be provided to UN peacekeepers in order to ensure their safety, as well as increased standard rates of reimbursements and payment of risk premiums.
“The Philippines stresses the need for peacekeeping missions to acquire improved safety and security capacities with a strategic and holistic view on a wide range of issues, including mission leadership, chain of command, rules of engagement, pre-deployment assessment and training, policies and standards, as well as the use of protective equipment and high-level technological assets,” Natividad said.
The Philippines is involved in five UN missions, committing over 600 personnel. According to the UN, the Philippines ranks 33rd among 123 nations in terms of military and police contributions to its operations. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News
“We need to ensure that mandates of peacekeeping missions are responsive to current conditions,” said Irene Susan B. Natividad, the Philippine deputy permanent representative to the UN in New York.
“We also need to ensure that the entire policy, structural and operations architecture of peacekeeping are duly supported,” she told those present at the 2015 Substantive Session of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations held in New York last February 18.
The appeal came months after 81 Filipino peacekeepers were trapped in a standoff in Golan Heights after armed anti-government troops occupied UN positions in August 2014. The incident prompted the Philippine government to pull out its over 200 peacekeepers in Golan Heights ahead of schedule.
Citing the Golan Heights incident as an example, Natividad said new factors not contemplated during the formulation of mandates – such as anti-government armed groups and pandemics that continue to undermine the implementation of UN peacekeeping mandates – must be taken into consideration.
“Clearly this situation cannot and should not continue,” Natividad said. “It is our obligation as one peacekeeping community to ensure that peacekeeping missions can successfully implement their mandates.”
Natividad also said special focus must be put into providing “truthful and timely information” to troop and police contributing countries like the Philippines during missions.
She added that adequate self-defense equipment and other provisions must be provided to UN peacekeepers in order to ensure their safety, as well as increased standard rates of reimbursements and payment of risk premiums.
“The Philippines stresses the need for peacekeeping missions to acquire improved safety and security capacities with a strategic and holistic view on a wide range of issues, including mission leadership, chain of command, rules of engagement, pre-deployment assessment and training, policies and standards, as well as the use of protective equipment and high-level technological assets,” Natividad said.
The Philippines is involved in five UN missions, committing over 600 personnel. According to the UN, the Philippines ranks 33rd among 123 nations in terms of military and police contributions to its operations. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News
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