On International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, we focus attention on the dangers faced by our personnel and partners as they carry out the vital work of the United Nations. We salute their courage and service in some of the most challenging parts of the world — and we call for greater action to ensure their safety and security.
United Nations personnel should never face threats for carrying out their essential mission and serving people. But, the reality is that they may confront deliberate attacks, ambushes, kidnappings, intimidation and unlawful detention. This is unacceptable.
Since 2021, 239 United Nations personnel have been detained, 21 of whom were detained in 2023. In total, 28 United Nations personnel are still in detention. National staff are often at particular risk.
I call on all countries to fully implement the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, as well as the 2005 Optional Protocol to the Convention, which extends protection to personnel delivering humanitarian, political or development assistance.
Today and every day, we stand in solidarity with all detained colleagues and their families and pledge to protect all United Nations personnel as they work to help the world’s most vulnerable people.
In every corner of the world, whether in their home countries or far away, United Nations personnel work tirelessly to serve the people of the world.
This International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members reminds us of the perils that these dedicated women and men often face while carrying out their vital mission and advancing the ideals enshrined in the UN Charter.
Since 2021, 142 UN personnel have been detained, including 15 in 2022 alone. In total, 22 United Nations personnel are still in detention. National staff are often at particular risk and face unacceptable threats to their safety and security.
We continue to monitor these cases and seek the immediate release of all our colleagues. I thank the Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service of the United Nations Staff Union for its steadfast advocacy and vigilance.
UN personnel should never be arrested or detained because of the work they do in carrying out our mandate. I call on all countries to ensure that the necessary privileges and immunities are fully respected, including the immunity from legal process to be accorded to UN personnel pursuant to the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
I also call on all countries, which have not yet done so, to accede to and fully implement the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel as well as the 2005 Optional Protocol to the Convention, which extends protection to personnel delivering humanitarian, political or development assistance.
The safety of everyone who works with the United Nations is our top priority. On this International Day, let us stand in solidarity with all detained colleagues and pledge to protect all United Nations personnel as they work to advance peace and human rights, protect the planet and build a better future for all.
On the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, we recognize the extreme dangers encountered by so many colleagues as they carry out the vital work of the United Nations.
The threats vary -- from deliberate and deadly ambushes to kidnappings, intimidation and unlawful detention. But the thread is the same: these are unacceptable obstacles to fulfilling our mandates and advancing peace, sustainable development, human rights and humanitarian assistance around the globe. National staff are often at particular risk.
As of 15 March of this year, 20 United Nations personnel are in detention, including six arrested this year, five in 2020 and the rest before that.
Meanwhile, peacekeeping operations continue to be targeted; at least 10 of our personnel have lost their lives this year to malicious attacks.
I urge all countries to support the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel as well as its 2005 Optional Protocol. To date, only 95 countries are party to the Convention, and only 33 to the Protocol.
The United Nations will continue its efforts to protect our personnel, and to pursue justice for the perpetrators of attacks. I thank the Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service of the United Nations Staff Union for its advocacy and vigilance.
Together, we must do everything we can to ensure that those who undertake lifesaving work around the world have the protection and conditions they need to fulfil their vital mission.
***** À l’occasion de la Journée internationale de solidarité avec les membres du personnel détenus ou portés disparus, nous mesurons les dangers extrêmes auxquels tant de nos collègues sont exposés dans le travail essentiel qu’ils accomplissent au nom de l’Organisation.
Les menaces sont diverses – embuscades mortelles, enlèvements, actes d’intimidation et détention illégale – mais toutes font obstacle de manière inacceptable à l’accomplissement de nos mandats et à la promotion de la paix, du développement durable, des droits humains et de l’aide humanitaire dans le monde entier. Le personnel recruté sur le plan national est souvent le plus exposé.
Au 15 mars de cette année, 20 membres du personnel des Nations Unies sont en détention, dont 6 arrêtés cette année, 5 en 2020 et le reste avant cela.
Parallèlement, les opérations de maintien de la paix continuent d’être prises pour cibles ; au moins 10 membres du personnel ont perdu la vie cette année dans des attaques malveillantes.
J’engage tous les pays à soutenir la Convention sur la sécurité du personnel des Nations Unies et du personnel associé de 1994 et son Protocole facultatif de 2005. À ce jour, seuls 95 pays sont parties à la Convention et 33 pays au Protocole.
L’ONU poursuivra ses efforts pour protéger les membres de son personnel et faire en sorte que les auteurs d’attaques soient traduits en justice. Je remercie le Comité permanent sur la sécurité et l’indépendance de la fonction publique internationale du Syndicat du personnel de l’Organisation des Nations Unies de ses activités de sensibilisation et de sa vigilance.
Ensemble, nous devons tout faire pour garantir que les personnes qui accomplissent des activités vitales dans le monde entier bénéficient de la protection dont elles ont besoin pour remplir leur mission essentielle dans des conditions appropriées.
