The head of UN peacekeeping Jean-Pierre Lacroix saluted the service and dedication of women and men police officers deployed in the UN peace operations, who work “relentlessly to serve communities in increasingly challenging contexts.”
The Security Council today (14 Nov) held a session to discuss Strategic Priorities of the UN Police Components in Peace Operations.
Briefing the Security Council, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, said, “violent conflict is increasing in many parts of the world. And the number, intensity and length of conflicts worldwide is at its highest level since before the end of the Cold War. This is all amidst heightened geopolitical tensions, including in this Council.”
Lacroix continued, “In this context, UN peacekeeping operations can only achieve what I call the “intermediate goals” of peacekeeping, which include preserving cease fires, protecting hundreds of thousands of civilians, mediating local conflicts and strengthening institutions whenever possible.”
He added, “we must also manage our expectations, and recognize that the “intermediate goals” of peacekeeping are important ends in and of themselves. The UN Police play a notable role in achieving many of these goals.”
According to him, “the Women, Peace and Security agenda is infused in all aspects of A4P+. To enhance the protection of women and girls in vulnerable situations, the United Nations Police remains focused on strengthening engagement with civil society and women’s rights organizations.”
He said, “In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, long-standing community-based partnerships with disabilities-focused organizations have improved the effectiveness of police services and outreach to disabled women and girls in communities.”
Lacroix continued, “in South Sudan, to address protection risks for women, UNPOL has conducted several gender-responsive patrols informed by an analysis of threat levels to women, based on the information collected from the community and intelligence sources.”
General Christophe Bizimungu, Police Commissioner from the United Nations Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), also addressed the Council. He said that MINUSCA police contributed to capacity building of the Central African Internal Security Forces (FSI). He said, “these achievements are myriad and invaluable. In terms of training UNPOL has effectively contributed to the selection of new FSI recruits in order to guarantee a transparent and inclusive recruitment process as envisaged in the political agreement for peace.”
For her part, Christine Fossen, Police Commissioner from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said, “Despite the recognition that women play an important role in achieving sustainable peace, the lack of women in SSNPS leadership positions remains a challenge, especially as we move toward elections.”
She continued, “the National Action Plan clearly identifies female leadership as an overall goal. To support this, UNPOL is exploring the possibility of a project-funded, competence-building initiative for women officers, qualifying them to compete for leadership positions.”
Also addressing the Security Council, Faisal Shahkar, Director of the Police Division and United Nations Police Adviser, said, “To further the digital transformation of peacekeeping, we will require social media monitoring and analysis tools for use as early warning mechanisms; aerostat and live high resolution video feed capabilities; and personnel who are proficient in data analytics and management, cybercrime investigations and cyber security.”
6 сен 2024
