1. Madhu Raman Acharya 21 July 2014
Changing Scope and Dimension of Peacekeeping and the Participation of Nepal
Madhu Raman Acharya
21 July 2014

2. Introduction Word of welcome
Only introducing the subject before the main speaker
Nepal’s perspectives
Peacekeeping: global challenges
Some steps to be taken
From Nepal’s side
From UN’s side
(Does not represent the views so the Government of Nepal and that of the UN)

3. Nepal in the UN PKO
Long association (since first participation in three years after UN membership in 1955)
Long experience (58 years)
Continuous contingent participation in PKO since 1974
Participation in all major missions
Huge contribution
40 Missions over 100,000 uniformed personnel
Sacrifice of 58 lives- Similar numbers injured and disabled
Contributed troops and police even to UN mission even during domestic conflict ( )
Among top ten troops contributors
6th largest- 4,762 uniformed personnel as of May 2014 (DPKO)-

4. Nepal in the UN PKO Nepal has significantly invested in its capacity
Standby troops/ Equipment
Peacekeeping Training Centre -since 1986
Nepal’s three security agencies (army, police and armed police) contribute personnel to peacekeeping
Excellent performance – widely acclaimed- included in Nobel Peace Prize receiving entourage of the SG
Force commanders ( 4 missions)
Increasing participation of police/armed police forces
Responded to every call of the UN for deployment

5. Nepal in the UN PKO No caveats in deployment
Flexibility, adaptability and versatility- main characteristics of Nepal’s peacekeepers
No vested interests (political, economic or cultural) in the peacekeeping settings
Considers peacekeeping as an important instrument for solving conflicts and maintaining international peace and security
PKOs have provided Nepal wide exposure, identity and role in the global arena
Increased professionalism of Nepalese uniformed personnel

6. Nepal in the UN PKO
Non-permanent member of the Security Council twice ( , )- also recognition of Nepal’s contribution in peacekeeping
Nepal also became member of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (2009) on account of its troops contribution
Participation in UN peacekeeping consistent with its foreign policy objectives and principles, including of the UN Charter
An important instrument in Nepal’s engagement with the United Nations activities around the world

7. Nepal and UN peacekeeping
UN peacekeeping in Nepalese psyche
Songs and films
Shanti Sena as respected job and as an opportunity
Most Nepali army and police officials have served at least in one mission and are proud of it
UN Peacekeeping gives Nepal
International platform
Strong partnership with the United Nations
International identity
Professional exposure

8. Nepal’s participation in major PKOs
Mission
Year
Sinai
1974
East Timor
1999
Lebanon
1978, 2006
Liberia
2003
1978
Burundi
2004
Haiti
1991, 2004
Sudan
2004, 2008, 2012
Somalia
1993
2008
Former Yugoslavia
1994
Chad
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
2011
DR Congo
Mali
2013

10. Nepal: Current Standing (As of May 2014, DPKO)
South Sudan (UNMISS )- 1,354 Congo (MONUSCO)- 1,049 Lebanon (UNIFIL) Darfur( UNAMID) Liberia (UNMIL )- FPUs 417 Haiti (MINUSTAH) Mali (MINUSMA) 149 Syria (UNDOF) - 72 Iraq (UNAMI)- 49 Abei, Sudan UNISFA 4 Code d’ Ivoire (UNOCI)- 4 Western Sahara (MINURSO) 4 Middle East (UNTSO)- 4 Total 4,762

11. Types of contribution from Nepal
Infantry
Military Observers
Military Police
Engineers
Staff Officers
Police Advisors
Formed Police Units
Police Monitors
Others

12. Peacekeeping: Some features
Most visible flag of the UN
Valuable instrument for maintain peace and security – other alternates are riskier and costlier
Cheaper instrument - $ 7.83 billion (2013/14)- less than 0.5% of the world’s military expenses $ 1,747 billion (2013)
Still bigger than UN’s biennial budget

13. Peacekeeping: Important features
Missions with various needs
Disarmament
Elections
Human rights monitoring
Support to refugees/ returnees
Protection of civilians
Security sector reform
Rule of law
Diversification
From peacekeeping, to peacemaking, peace enforcement, peacebuilding etc.

14. Reports Galore Brahimi Report 2000
Concept of peace operations
Highlighted need for increased political support
Broadened the concept and doctrine of peacekeeping
Some implemented, Others of scholarly interest,
Capstone Doctrine as a guide for UN personnel
New Horizons Report 2009
Thrust on policy measures, and capacity development, field support and oversight mechanism
Seeks to address the policy and major policy and strategy dilemmas faced by the PKOs
UN Peace Operations reform strategy for the next decade post Brahimi report

15. Factors contributing to success of PKOs
Legitimacy
Experience
Impartiality
Credibility

16. Challenges of UN Peacekeeping
Too big to manage- “overstretch”
98,755 uniformed personnel in 17 missions ( May 2014)
Growing complexities
Going to places where there is “no peace to keep”
Lack of political strategy
Ambiguous mandates- divided Security Council
“Mission creep”- so called Integrated Approach seeks to put everything under PKOs
Lack of exit strategy- UN is stuck in most circumstances
Haunted by failed mandates- Rwanda, Former Yugoslavia, Somalia- several shortcomings still continuing

17. Doctrinal Challenges UN Charter has no provision for UN peacekeeping
Consent of the parties- not applicable in peace enforcement mandates (e.g. Darfur)
Impartiality (undermined in many instances) especially in Chapter VII mandates
Use of force- for self defense and in defense of the mandate (e.g. protection of civilians)- difficulty in maintaining uniform approach
No commensurate investment in preventive diplomacy and political capability (cheaper to prevent)
Peacekeeping cannot be a substitute for addressing he root causes of conflict

18. Doctrinal Challenges..
Difficulty to separate continuum of peacekeeping, peacebuilding and reconstruction
Difficulty to implement the thematic resolutions
1325 on women in peace and security
1612 Children in armed conflict
1674 Protection of civilians
Putting “protection of civilians” in each mission’s mandate- creates false expectations – one of the causes of perceived failure of the UN
Protection mandate requires use of force which is difficult to apply under existing rules of engagement
Responsibility to Protect: Failure to apply, selectivity

19. Operational Challenges
UN does not have its own military
Absence of rapid deployment capability
Poor support from member states e.g. helicopters
Resources crunch
Robust peacekeeping – and hybrid missions
Field support challenges
Lack of gender and geographical balance
Top troops contributors come from South Asia
Women still under represented

20. Other Challenges..
Disintegrated approach: each mission from scratch- same hurdles every time
Human rights abuses at home and at duty station- need better strategy to handle
Sexual abuse and harassment- implementation of “Zero Tolerance” policy
Safety and security of peacekeepers- peacekeeping has become more lethal
Need better consultation with troops contributing countries
“Being informed is not same as being consulted”

21. Nepal’s issues on Peacekeeping
Better involvement in mandating of the mission, political strategy, rules of engagement and exit strategy
Standby capacity- lack of equipment support often delaying deployment
Need more representation of women
Need more senior level appointments for both uniformed and civilian personnel

22. Nepal’s issues on Peacekeeping
Better use of Training centre- by the UN system for regional endeavors
Safety and security concerns/ Need to exercise selectivity
Need to increase civilian participation in peacekeeping missions
More efficient reimbursement procedure
More efficient vetting procedure for human rights- (DPKO should consult before taking any action)
Better oversight mechanism in purchases etc. to avoid scandals of corruption in supplies (e.g. Darfur)

23. Reforming Nepal’s peacekeeping
Improve standby capacity- size of army has grown
Reinforce contingent-owned equipment
Gove more training on host country situation, driving, languages, UN practices, human rights etc.
Improve vetting procedure and end impunity allegations on human rights
Increase capability to deploy more women- showcasing inclusive reforms
Take stern action against sexual exploitation and abuse

24. Measures DPKO should take
Invest in the capacity of the troops contributing countries (including in standby equipment and training)
Improve consultation with troops contributing countries (on mandate, political strategy, rules of engagement, etc)
Improve vetting procedure for human rights to avoid embarrassment for both sides
Consult with sending countries before taking any action on human rights etc.
Introduce more stringent measure for safety and security of peacekeepers – introduce better risk analysis and rapid response mechanism
Speedier investigation into allegations against peacekeepers

25. Measures DPKO should take
Introduce better strategy to deal with unfounded allegations (e.g. cholera in Haiti) –overshadowed what Nepalese troops did in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake
Improve partnership with regional organizations, troop contributing countries etc.
Increase senior level appointments from Nepal in UN’s missions and headquarters (military, police and civilians )
No SRSG from Nepal in any of the UN’s peacekeeping missions so far
Need to appoint more force commanders, heads of police and senior level civilians etc.
Thank You