UPDATE: Security Council again demands immediate release of peacekeepers detained in Golan

3 September 2014 – The Security Council called again today for the immediate and unconditional release of 45 United Nations peacekeepers seized late last week by an armed group in the Golan, while the Organization’s top peacekeeping official said the UN is continuing to look at ways to enhance safety and security procedures in what has become a “very challenging situation.” Reading an agreed statement to the press, Ambassador Samantha Power of the United States, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month, said its members again strongly condemned the detention of 45 Fijian peacekeepers “by a Security Council-designated terrorist organization.” The Fijian peacekeepers, serving with the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), monitoring a ceasefire established in 1974 between Israel and Syria, were detained on 28 August, by armed elements of the Syrian opposition in the vicinity of Al Qunaytirah. In a separate incident, 72 Filipino peacekeepers that had been surrounded by armed elements in two different locations in the Golan were later safely relocated. Ms. Power said today that Council members welcomed news that all Filipino peacekeepers are now safe, and they commended the efforts of UNDOF’s Quick Reaction Force. “They reiterated their call for the peacekeepers’ immediate and unconditional release. There can never be any justification for attacks on or the detention of UN peacekeepers,” she said. Further to the statement, she said the Council insisted that UNDOF’s mandate, impartiality, operations, safety, and security must be respected. To that end, Council members demanded “all groups other than UNDOF must abandon all UNDOF positions and the Quneitra crossing point, and return the peacekeepers’ vehicles, weapons, and other equipment.” Council members commended UNDOF’s peacekeepers for their bravery in facing the threats and challenges in their area of operation, Ms. Power said, adding that they called on all parties to cooperate with UNDOF in good faith to enable it to operate freely and to ensure full security of its personnel. “They also called upon countries with influence to strongly convey to those responsible to immediately release the peacekeepers,” she added. The Council’s statement came immediately after a closed-door briefing by Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous concerning the welfare of UNDOF peacekeepers in the Golan. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Ladsous explained that for years, UNDOF’s area of operation had been “relatively quiet,” but as the situation in the region became more dangerous and unpredictable, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Syria, the area had seen the increased presence of armed groups. Those groups were increasingly engaging with Syrian armed forces. “This was the case last week when large numbers of armed groups launched an attack in the area of separation [monitored by UNDOF]. As things stand, we still have 45 peacekeepers from Fiji still being detained,” he said, adding: “It is our goal – and what we demand – to achieve the immediate, safe and unconditional release of these peacekeepers.” The situation made clear that it was very important that UNDOF’s mandate continue, said Mr. Ladsous, noting that the situation is “very challenging” and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) is sparing no effort to ensure the safe return of the detained peacekeepers, while also working to improve the mission’s military equipment and medical facilities. He went on to commend the performance of the peacekeepers and especially the UNDOF Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Iqbal Singh Singha. Responding to questions regarding the reported tender of resignation of another ranking Filipino UNDOF military official, Mr. Ladsous said it was important to recognize that all the detained Filipino troops had either escaped or been recovered during the operation launched by the Quick Reaction Force. “The situation on the ground is a fluid one and the decision was to launch the Quick Reaction Force to extract the peacekeepers. General Singha exercised good, solid judgement [throughout] the process,” said Mr. Ladsous. To another question on adjustments to UNDOF in the wake of the recent incidents and the spate of similar incidents the peacekeepers faced last year, he said the mission’s mandate was based on the 1974 agreement between Israel and Syria, and that would remain the framework of UNDOF’s operations. “[Yet] no one could have factored in what is currently going on in the area of separation,” he said, so while it would be up to the parties to discuss changes, DPKO has been working to address safety issues, medical care and adjust patterns of monitoring patrol.

UPDATE: Citing women’s crucial role in peacebuilding, UN officials urge concrete support on ground

3 September 2014 – Women are crucial partners in peacebuilding and must be guaranteed the safe political space, including a seat at the “negotiating table,” to participate in all steps of post-conflict reconciliation and recovery processes, stressed high-level United Nations officials today at a Headquarters event. Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, of Brazil, said that today’s meeting, co-organized by the Commission and UN Women, was an opportunity to leave the “bird’s eye” view and dive into the concrete reality of women’s peacebuilding work. He recalled visiting countries emerging from conflict such as Guinea Bissau and Liberia and meeting with women’s groups to discuss their concerns. Insufficient funding continues to be one of the main challenges hampering women’s participation in peacebuilding, Mr. Patriota said, stressing that donor support was acutely needed. Concrete support is often elusive. More must be done to translate the vision into tangible results. The Commission was established in 2005 to propose integrated strategies for post-conflict recovery. Its fund, created the following year, has since allocated $27 million to mainstream gender in peacebuilding. It plans to donate more to empower women in peacebuilding. Today’s discussion aims to provide an important contribution for the preparations of the 2015 high-level review of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on “women, peace and security”, which urged all actors to increase the participation of women in all peace efforts. The upcoming review should examine how to best support peacebuilding work women do at the community level and ensure their security. From 2000 to 2013, the Security Council adopted a series of seven resolutions on the issue, effectively recognizing that women’s protection and participation are directly linked to security issues. In 2010, the Secretary-General defined a seven-point Action Plan on Gender-Responsive Peacebuilding, identifying seven concrete commitments (on mediation, post-conflict planning, financing, civilian capacity, post-conflict governance, rule of law and economic recovery) to mainstream women’s participation. Also delivering opening remarks, via video, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, recalled her trip to conflict-stricken nations such as South Sudan and Syria. She described meeting women who are affected by war and witnessing the “strengthen and resilience” of women peace-builders and their hope for a better future. Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka said the global community can rally around three key messages that would promote investment in women’s leadership is peacebuilding. First, funds must be allocated to support women at the grassroots level. In the aftermath of any war, millions of dollars are spent on reconstruction and reconciliation. These funds “predominately benefit men” while women face extremely limited resources. In fact, she said, women are more likely than men to devote a proportion of their income to benefit families. Yet, women’s local peacebuilding initiatives, while acknowledged by the international community, tend to go unrecognized while official, high-level peace negotiation and medication processes take centre stage. Hence the second point: women must be guaranteed a political space at the peace negotiating table. It has been 14 years since the international community first demonstrated its commitment to supporting women’s roles in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, yet only a handful of women are involved in formal peace talks. “For peace processes to be effective and long-lasting all people must be involved including men women, boys and girls,” said Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka. Lastly, the international community must ensure the protection of women. The targeting of women who speak up for their communities is “unacceptable” and must be addressed, she continued, stressing that UN Women stands ready to accelerate progress on this front. “Women and girls have waited for too long for us to take action, for justice, for services and reparation. They cannot wait much longer.” Following opening remarks, participants heard from several women leaders who shared their peacebuilding experiences and recommendations. A keynote address by Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate preceded a panel discussion with Ms. Alice Nderitu, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, Ms. Wazhma Frogh “Zulfiqar”, Co-Founder and Executive Director at the Institute for Women, Peace & Security, and Ms. Rosa Emilia Salamanca, Executive Director of Corporación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica (CIASE).