New York, 12 November 2021 (TDI): The Russian Permanent Representative, Anna Evstigneeva, addressed the Security Council on UN Police Commissioners on 10 November. She mentioned actions taken by Russia, on this subject. Evstigneeva first thanked the Commissioners for their involvement in the UN peacekeeping operations acknowledging their roles.
Evstigneeva then remarked that Russia sees police components as an integral part of the peacekeeping operations. Due to their contribution in the implementation of mandates for every Mission.
According to her, the situations of the countries establish those mandates. The goals of the Missions differ from each other. For example, the UN Mission in Abyei and the Mission in Mali do not have the same goals. Either way, the blue berets work in both regions.
Evstigneeva then added that the UN deploys missions towards vulnerable countries due to significant weakening or absence of national law enforcement bodies. These vulnerable countries face an increase in several types of crime, like human trafficking, organized crime, drug trafficking, sexual violence, and violence against children.
UNPOL RISKS
There the UN Police contribute to the protection the civilians from direct security threats. The UNPOL can also assist national law enforcement bodies or even replace them. Evstigneeva also mentioned that the fact that UN Police can replace national enforcement bodies poses a risk.
According to Evstigneeva, the risk of the Missions is that if they stay long, it will lead to a long-term replacement of the local police. Evstigneeva then remarked on the importance of the impartial implementation of the Missions mandates.
She then added that the knowledge of political aspects of the conflicts and cooperation with local authorities and population is also fundamental for the Missions. Evstigneeva remarked that potential mistakes might be costly for the peacekeepers and the peace process.
Evstigneeva mentioned that the citizens sometimes require explanations of the Mandate to win the trust of the locals. They are also required to prevent wrong expectations. Evstigneeva also urged to consider the potential ethnic, religious, cultural, and other issues the Mission might encounter.
FURTHER FEMALE PRESENCE
She mentioned that the majority of people that are most in need are women and children. According to her, they require a specific approach, so that is the reason why it is necessary to include female and male officers.
Evstigneeva manifested that Russia believes that priority should be to ensure effective implementation of the tasks under the Mandate and assessment of deployment and security situations. She mentioned that when women are involved in peacekeeping operations, it is necessary to observe the geographical distribution principle.
OTHER OBJECTIVES OF THE BLUE BERETS
The Blue Berets also assist in the post-conflict reform of law enforcement institutions. The Berets assist in the building of the national capacity of the hosts. Evstigneeva stated that UN Police should be trained and supplied with equipment to be more effective to transfer faster the responsibility to maintain law and order to the national authorities.
Evstigneeva then reaffirmed Russia’s support of the work of the UN Secretariat; and the assistance of regional organizations to improve the training of police peacekeepers.She then remarked on some of the actions of Russia towards the peacekeepers.
RUSSIA’S CONTRIBUTIONS
According to her, over the past 20 years, Russia has trained hundreds of peacekeepers and commanders. They were from more than 50 countries, especially from Africa, and the UN-certified All-Russian Peacekeepers Training Center, in Domodedovo.
According to Evstigneeva, Russia has unique experience in the training of peacekeepers, and that they are willing to share. She mentioned that Russian Blue Berets have contributed to support peace around the world.
Currently, that Russia has 40 Officers deployed in different Missions, and around one-third of them are women. Evstigneeva congratulated the Police Officers on their day, celebrated on 10 November.
According to Evstigneeva, the police peacekeepers need particular attention from the States, within the UNSC, and UNGA. Evstigneeva stated that Russia believes that the UNSC Working Group on Peacekeeping is a good place to discuss police matters.
