The United Nations (UN) has awarded two fallen peacekeepers from Bangladesh with 'Dag Hammarskjold Medal' posthumously.
The 'Dag Hammarskjold Medal' awarded posthumously to two Bangladeshi fallen peacekeepers was handed over by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a ceremony to honour 117 peacekeepers of 42 countries who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty for world peace in 2021, a press release said Saturday.
"The sacrifice of the peacekeepers only strengthens our resolve to continue serving the cause of peace" said Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima while receiving the Medals on behalf of her country on Thursday at UN Headquarters in New York.
The two Bangladeshi fallen peacekeepers are: Major A K M Mahmudul Hasan (was serving in MINUSCA) and Lance Corporal Md. Rabiul Mollah (was serving in UNMISS).
The respective Permanent Representatives of 42 countries were present in the ceremony and received the awards on behalf of their countries.
Ambassador Fatima also signed the condolence book kept in the UNHQs while the Bangladesh Permanent Mission will make necessary arrangements to send the medals to the family members of the deceased peacekeepers.
After the ceremony, Ambassador Fatima laid floral wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial Site in the North Lawn of the UNHQs in honour of all peacekeepers who have lost their lives during noble service with a peacekeeping operation.
She was accompanied by the officers of the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York and the members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces serving in the UNHQs.
Ambassador Fatima paid solemn tribute to all valiant peacekeepers who lost their lives in the service of peacekeeping and expressed deepest condolences to their families for their irreplaceable loss.
She also mentioned that Bangladesh has lost many of its brave souls in the line of their sacred duty for world peace in a condolence message given on the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
Bangladesh is currently the top contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations and around 6802 Bangladeshi peacekeepers are deployed in 9 peacekeeping missions at present.
So far, 161 peacekeepers from Bangladesh have lost their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping operations.
After a two-year break, this year, the United Nations has observed the 'International Day of the UN Peacekeepers' at the UN headquarters premises in person.
International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers would be observed tomorrow (Sunday) in the country like elsewhere in the world with due dignity.
Every year on May 29, the United Nations commemorates the International Day
of United Nations Peacekeepers.
On the day, people pay tribute to all the men and women who have served as military, police or civilians in UN Peacekeeping operations.
Besides, people commend their professionalism, dedication and courage and honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.
On the morning of the Day, the programme would start by commemoration of the Peacekeepers.
A reception would be held at 10.30 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center for the relatives of the martyred peacekeepers and a special presentation on UN peacekeeping activities.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to be present as the chief guest of the reception virtually, said a press release here.
The programme will be telecast live on Bangladesh Television and Btv World.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq will also be present at the "Peacekeeping Run-2022" in the morning.
Special journals and supplements will be published by the national dailies to highlight the significance of the day and talk shows will be aired on various private TV channels including Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar.
Documentary on Bangladesh Peacekeeping activities has already been aired on Bangladesh Television and other private channels.
Members of the Cabinet, Ambassadors, High Commissioners of different countries to Bangladesh, UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh, Chiefs of the three Armed Forces, Military Advisers of UN Peacekeeping Missions, Members of Parliament, Officers of the Armed Forces Department, the Inspector General,
senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, senior military and civilian officials including media personalities will be present, among others, on the occasion.