UN police duties clarified

The United Nations Security Council on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution to include policing as an integral part of the mandate and decision-making structure of UN peacekeeping operations and special political missions on a case-by-case basis.

The council would consider the need to give clear and credible mandates for policing activities, and emphasizes the need to ensure a UN system‑wide approach to the rule of law.

Under‑Secretary‑General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean‑Pierre Lacroix said the UN police play a continued vital role in bridging the organization's work from prevention and peacekeeping to peace-building and development.

UN police now operate based on the Strategic Guidance Framework, use comprehensive approaches to operations, capacity‑building and development and focus on basic skills transfer and strengthening of host‑state police institutions, Lacroix said.

Wu Haitao, charge d'affairs of China's mission to the UN, said that with more than 11,000 officers deployed in complex situations, UN police must observe the principles of the UN Charter.

"The agreement with host countries involved - impartiality and no use of force except in self-defense or when mandated - is the cornerstone of peacekeeping," Wu said.

Mandates for policing in peacekeeping operations need to be "clear, achievable and tailored to the context", showing respect for host countries, taking into consideration the needs of the situation on the ground and remaining subject to assessment or change, he said.

"Protecting civilians is the primary responsibility of host countries. The job of peacekeeping police is to help host countries build up their capacities," he said.

The secretariat should boost interaction between the military and police components, Wu added, highlighting the importance of better coordination between police-contributing countries and host nations.

China is the largest police‑contributing country among permanent members of the Security Council. Currently, more than 150 Chinese police are on peacekeeping missions in places ranging from South Sudan to Cyprus and Afghanistan.

wanglinyan@chinadaily.com.cn