International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2023: Every year on March 25, the United Nations observes the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members to honour the memory of Alec Collett, a journalist who died while on a UN mission after being kidnapped. The purpose of this day is to acknowledge the contributions of UN personnel and the risks they take to carry out humanitarian work, as well as to remember those who have lost their lives in service to the UN.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members: Significance
The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing UN Personnel is significant because it recognises the vital work of UN personnel who risk their lives to carry out humanitarian missions in some of the world’s most dangerous areas. This day acknowledges the sacrifices and risks that UN staff members undertake on behalf of the global community, and it highlights the importance of protecting the safety and well-being of UN personnel.
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members: History
The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members was first observed by the United Nations (UN) in 1993. The day was created to recognize the work of UN personnel who have been detained, kidnapped, or have gone missing while carrying out their duties on behalf of the UN. The date, March 25th, was chosen to commemorate the abduction of Alec Collett, a former journalist and UN staff member who was kidnapped in 1985 while working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Collett was imprisoned for more than six years before his death in 1991. Since the creation of this day, the UN has used it as an opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers faced by its staff members and to advocate for their safety and well-being. The day is also meant to honor the sacrifices made by those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to show support for their families and loved ones. Each year, the UN Secretary-General issues a statement on this day to commemorate those who have been detained or have gone missing, and to call for their safe release and return.
