23 October 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. The world needs blue helmets who act as blue helmets

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations – Important International institutions

Context

The article discusses the United Nations’ (UN) role in global peacekeeping.It highlights both successes and failures in conflicts like Rwanda, Bosnia, Ukraine, and Gaza. It stresses the need for Security Council reform, focusing on limiting veto power and strengthening peace enforcement mechanisms to protect civilians effectively.

UN’s Mixed Track Record in Peacekeeping

• The UN Charter provides a strong foundation for peacekeeping with over 1,00,000 peacekeepers on the ground.
• Successful missions in Cambodia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Angola, Timor Leste, Liberia, and Kosovo demonstrate the UN’s potential in resolving conflicts.
• However, the UN has faced criticism for its failure to act decisively in situations like the 1994 Rwanda genocide and the 1995 Bosnia conflict, where it was seen as a bystander unable to protect vulnerable populations.

Current Global Conflicts: Ukraine and West Asia

• Today, the UN finds itself once again in a passive role in the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.
• The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza are stark examples where the UN has failed to protect civilian lives.
• Despite having access to over 1,00,000 military and police forces, the UN has not deployed troops effectively to contain the violence in these regions.
• Forces could have been redeployed from missions in Africa to conflict zones in Ukraine and Gaza, as they were in previous successful peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and Timor Leste.

Call for UN Security Council Reform

• The Security Council’s veto power has often hindered decisive action in protecting civilian lives.
• Past failures, such as the Rwanda genocide, where nearly a million Tutsi civilians were killed, highlight the need for reform.
• The Security Council should be expanded to include countries like India and South Africa, ensuring broader representation and limiting the impact of individual vetoes.
• Instead of individual vetoes, a division of votes should be used to authorise peace operations, allowing the UN to act swiftly in conflict zones.

Conclusion: The Future of UN Peacekeeping

• If the UN cannot effectively enforce peace despite its vast resources, the future of UN-led peace operations is in jeopardy.
• There is a need for reform and decisive action if the UN is to fulfil its mandate of maintaining global peace.
• Otherwise, the UN risks becoming irrelevant in the face of growing global conflicts, and its halls may serve merely for deliberations rather than action.

United Nations Peacekeeping Force

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force, established in 1948, is tasked with maintaining peace and security in conflict zones worldwide. It consists of military, police, and civilian personnel from member states, working under UN mandates to prevent violence, protect civilians, and support post-conflict recovery. With over 100,000 uniformed personnel currently deployed across missions, these forces operate under strict impartiality and in challenging environments. They are called “Blue Helmets” because they wear distinctive light blue helmets or berets as part of their uniform, symbolising their neutral and non-combatant role in maintaining peace.

Practice Question:  Discuss the role of the United Nations in global peacekeeping, highlighting its successes and failures. Critically analyse the need for Security Council reforms to improve its effectiveness in enforcing peace. (150 Words /10 marks)