Liberia / UN Envoy urges peacekeepers to remain respectable and exemplary in their conduct
MONROVIA, Liberia, June 25, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Liberia, Ms. Ellen Margrethe Løj has urged Nepalese peacekeepers serving the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to be exemplary in their conduct. Quoting from a Nepalese teaching which says, “Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back and chose the path that leads to wisdom”, she urged them to choose the path of good conduct and lead by example. She reiterated that all peacekeepers must, personally and strictly, observe the Secretary-General’s policy of zero tolerance against sexual exploitation and abuse. Ms. Løj made this statement when she awarded UN peacekeeping medals to 255 Nepalese peacekeepers {240 Formed Police Unit and 15 Military Police officers}, for their contributions to peace and stability in Liberia.
Recognizing the long commitment of the Nepalese government to peacekeeping operations, in general and to Liberia in particular, SRSG Løj noted the times Nepalese peacekeepers have served in Liberia – during the UN Observer Mission in 1996, and now in UNMIL since 2003. “You have travelled thousands of kilometers and made personal and professional sacrifices so that Liberians can live in peace, security and freedom”.
The UN Envoy recounted the contributions of the Nepalese peacekeepers to the Liberia National Police, which have contributed to reducing incidents of violent crimes in the country. She commended them for their unique sense of compassion and respect for diversity. “I am immensely proud that you – Nepalese peacekeepers – have brought your unique traditions to peacekeeping in Liberia and conducted yourselves with compassion and respect for diversity. We deeply value this approach”. She assured them that the difficult situation under which they perform their duties is well appreciated by UNMIL and the UN, and she conveyed the appreciation of the head of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Alain Le Roy, whom she said, was, “particularly impressed at the high sense of commitment and professionalism exhibited by peacekeepers in Liberia”.
Reminding the peacekeepers of the priority tasks still ahead, and which has been outlined in the recent special report of the Secretary-General on UNMIL, Ms. Løj said the report spells out roles and various tasks to be accomplished individually and jointly by stakeholders in the Liberian peace process (UNMIL, Liberians and international partners) to ensure that a steady state of security is reached.
SRSG Løj praised the outreach activities of the Nepalese contingent in training youth in the various communities in cooking and vehicle mechanics; as well as training the Monrovia Central Prison inmates in vegetable farming, which has not only helped to improve their nutritional status, but also equipped them with skills to become productive member of their communities after their jail sentence is over.
Nepal is the fifth largest troop contributing country worldwide. Over 76,000 of its peacekeepers have served in various peace missions since 1958 when it became a member of the United Nations. Currently, over 3,900 are deployed in eleven missions around the world.
At the ceremony were UNMIL Force Commander, Lt.-Gen. ATM Zahirul Alam; UNPOL Commissioner, Mr. Henrik Stiernblad; Director of Mission Support, Mr. Stephen Lieberman; Assistant Inspector-General of the Nepalese Armed Police Force and Head of the visiting Nepalese Delegation, Mr. Kishor Kumar Lama; UNMIL Military Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. Paul T. Boroh; Sector A Commander, Brig.-Gen. E. O. Olofin; Nepalese Contingent Commander, Col. Dharma Baniya; and other senior military and police officials.
SOURCE
Mission of UN in Liberia
