To mark the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May, UNA-UK is calling on the UK Government to give more formal recognition to the service of British United Nations peacekeepers, whose global service is too often forgotten in the UK.
Over 120,000 UN peacekeepers risk their lives to help protect over 154 million people across the globe and yet when they return to their home countries, their sacrifice often goes unnoticed.
Recognising the vital role of UN peacekeeping, and the valuable contribution our armed forces could make, the UK has contributed British servicemen and women to UN peacekeeping missions since 1964. The UK was one of the top contributors in the 1990s, with over 10,000 troops deployed in Bosnia. Today, around 300 UK troops serve in UN peace operations in Cyprus, South Sudan, the DRC and Mali.
3,348 peacekeepers have lost their lives since 1948, 104 of which were British.
But despite the UK’s longstanding commitment to peacekeeping, the sacrifice of those who have fought for peace is woefully undervalued. There is no medal for UK peacekeepers, no national day of remembrance, no place to lay flowers or give thanks.
We believe that the vital role that these men and women play by committing their energy, dedication and sometimes their lives to the protection of innocent people should be formally commemorated. Our contributions to peace and security across the world should be a source of public pride.
This is why UNA-UK is asking the Government to find ways to honour our peacekeepers and their vital work. This could include a commemorative event, a day of remembrance, the awarding of a special award or medal or the creation of a commemorative public space.
Join our call by signing this petition asking the UK Government to commemorate British peacekeepers in a manner befitting the service they have rendered to this country and the world.
