Category United Nations

Korea had been under Japanese control during the Second World War. After the war, a split of opinions merged between North and South Korea. North Korea was predominantly communist while the South favoured the United States.

In June, 1950, the North Korean army invaded the South. The US President Harry Truman urged the United Nations to intervene. Following this, the Security Council decided to supply troops to resist the attack on South Korea.

It was the first time that the UN used military action to repel an attack. After securing the South, the UN army ventured North. Later, China backed the North Korean army. After a series of fights, both parties agreed to sign an armistice in 1953.

Picture Credit : Google

The peacekeeping in Congo is famous for the controversies it created. This peacekeeping mission involved considerable military operations.

Congo became independent in 1960. But, the Belgian commander of Congo refused to Africanize its army. This resulted in a lot of conflicts and even mutinies. The President and the Prime Minister tried to resolve the conflict, but it didn’t work. That is why they sought help from the UN.

The United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) was formed in 1960. But, the UN’s help was criticized by many Congolese. Many believed that the UN was working for the western (Belgian) interests.

The USSR too believed so and refused to pay for the mission. The ONUC withdrew from the mission in 1964 even before the conflicts ended.

Picture Credit : Google

The first peacekeeping mission was launched in 1948 in the newly created State of Israel and was known as the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). A conflict broke between the Israelis and the Arab states about thecreation of the new state of Israel. Though there was a ceasefire, the mission remains operational even today.

The second Arab-Israeli war broke out in 1956. This is also known as the Suez crisis and was against the nationalization of the Suez Canal. The war was between the alliance of the United Kingdom, France, and Israel, and Egypt, which was supported by other Arab nations. This resulted in the first emergency special session of the UN General Assembly.

It was the Canadian representative Lester B Pearson who brought forward the idea of a UN police force. Peacekeeping activities began with the formation of the UN Emergency Force (UNEF). They were deployed in the Suez Canal region. The UNEF policed the Egyptian-Israeli border to prevent violent events from happening.

Picture Credit : Google

The UN was not able to stop wars during the Cold War. Many large and small conflicts emerged everywhere that called for serious actions. The UN kept watch over the places with tension and even arranged ceasefires. It also placed neutral troops between the hostile sides hoping to keep them from fighting each other.

Twelve observer and peacekeeping forces were sent to conflict affected areas between 1948 and 1988. Half of them were sent to the Middle East. But, the UN Security Council never tried to use force to make peace among the warring parties. As of February 2009, there have been 63 UN peacekeeping operations since 1948.

Picture Credit : Google

The United Nations is responsible for world peace. However, don’t be surprised to learn that such an organisation does not have an army of its own. At times of crisis, the UN calls on its member states to provide their military service. This service is not free though. The UN pays for the military service it gets.

Though the supreme command lies with the Secretary-General, these forces have their own commanders. The first loyalty of the UN forces is to their country. They are actually on loan and can be withdrawn by the respective countries anytime. They do not form an independent UN army.

The loaned force includes soldiers, police officers and civilians. 123 countries currently provide the military troops and police forces that make up the UN Peacekeeping force. There are currently 13 peacekeeping operations led by the Department of Peace Operations.

Picture Credit : Google

In simple terms, peacekeeping refers to the efforts of the UN to establish lasting peace in areas affected by conflict.

According to the UN Charter, the power and responsibility to take collective action to maintain international peace and security lie with the United Nations Security Council.

Peacekeeping is a role held by the Department of Peace Operations.

Peacekeepers engage in various activities like implementing the peace agreements, strengthening the rule of law, and economic and social development. They also facilitate the political process, protect civilians, assist in disarmament, and protect and promote human rights. They work in most physically and politically difficult environments.

Picture Credit : Google

Women were considered second-class citizens in many countries. Despite the continuing domestic violence and brutality against women, progress has definitely been made in tackling the issue of gender discrimination.

With proper awareness programmes, millions of women’s lives were transformed; they developed a positive outlook and learnt to stand up for their rights. In developing countries, special funds were set aside for women to help them start their own enterprises.

Let’s now look at some specific cases. Turkey was a male dominant society. It established a Ministry of State for Women that specially looked into the progress of women in 1991.

Brazil established a new police until that specifically dealt with women’s issues. Mexico changed its rape law in order to help women victims.

Picture Credit : Google

In the 1980s, the focus of human rights shifted to gender. Inequalities that women have to face in day-to-day life began to be addressed by the United Nations and the rights of women began to be treated as equal to men.

Starting from the 1980s, the UN set up a whole range of women’s groups, the most prominent ones being the UN Division for the Advancement of Women, the UN Development Fund for Women, and the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women.

These programmes took up women’s issues and started finding constructive solutions for them. Attempts to spread awareness about gender discrimination became crucial in the UN programmes.

For this, a vast amount of information about various issues like domestic violence and harassments were made available for the public. Women’s rights became an integral part of human rights.

Picture Credit : Google

Children are the future of the world. As an organisation that works to build a better future, the UN has never ignored students; it has various programmes targeting students. Let’s now look at some of the UN programmes for students.

The Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth addresses the rights and development needs of the youth. This programme aims to bring the youth closer to the UN. The Model UN Workshop is meant to give students the basic understanding of the rules and procedures of the General Assembly. These workshops discuss drafting resolutions and negotiating deals.

UNICEF has an online platform where students around the world can learn about the issues affecting the world. They can also share their thoughts and opinions about the same. This platform is known as the Voices of Youth.

Picture Credit : Google

Have you heard of an organisation called the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)? This organisation is responsible for drug control and actions against drug abuse. It was established in 1997 by combining the United Nations International Drug Control Program and Crime Prevention, and the Criminal Justice Division.

UNODC is concerned with the problem of drugs, crime prevention, and criminal justice, apart from this, it deals with international terrorism, and political corruption. UNODC tries to deal with these threats to the society primarily through research and guidance.

After extensive research, UNODC adopts and implements various policies on terrorism, crime, corruption and drug abuse.

Picture Credit : Google