UN Holidays - International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Personnel

Despite the fact that the United Nations is the mainstay of the global security system, and according to its charter, peace-loving countries seeking interstate cooperation can be its members, less than half of the member states have signed the 1994 UN Personnel Safety Convention The establishment of the Day of Solidarity with UN workers imprisoned or disappeared without a trace in troubled regions was another step towards civilized methods of regulating relations in the world system of states March 25 is the date of the kidnapping in 1985 of Alec Collett, a journalist covering events in the Middle East region As a UN employee, Collette, however, did not escape the attack; his remains were found almost a decade and a half later in Lebanon This particular day was chosen to remind us of the dangerous work of humanitarian missions, experts, and officials working at the UN We cannot remain silent about the fact that even countries that have signed an agreement on security measures for UN personnel often illegally detain civilian and military personnel of the organization, citizens of their own countries or from abroad The organization's lawyers are constantly fighting to free UN representatives and workers from prison About 20 people were detained illegally in various countries The day before, the current Secretary General of the organization, in his annual message, appeals to the sense of justice of international society, declares the right to protect personnel in risky conditions, demands the immediate release of arrested employees, and bringing criminals to justice On the day of the holiday, awards for assistance to UN missions find their heroes Charity events raise funds to support the families of imprisoned peacekeepers Flash mobs and lectures are dedicated to fighters for disarmament and freedom