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50 Years of U.N. PEACE-KEEPINGThe year 1998 marks half a century of United Nations peace-keeping. Since 1948 there have been 48 peace-keeping operations; 35 of which were created by the Security Council between 1988 and 1998. Today 16 operations are being carried out, involving some 14,000 peace-keepers. Well over 750,000 military and civilian police personnel and thousands of other civilians from 111 countries have served in U.N. peace-keeping operations. More than 1,500 peace-keepers have died while serving in these missions. Blue Helmets, third Edition, 1996 sales no. E. 96.I.14. The U.N. Blue Books series covers major developments in the history of the United Nations. Soldiers for Peace is a collection of articles on peace-keeping published by American Historical Publications in collaboration with DPI. Available for purchase through Facts on File, 11 Penn Plaza, New York, New York 10001. WHITE HELMETSThe white helmets are local people on stand-by to help in case a natural or humanitarian disaster strikes. The teams are composed by people from various national volunteer corps who support activities in humanitarian emergency operations. They also work to provide rehabilitation, reconstruction and longer-term development for people who have received relief assistance. It is a cost-effective mechanism which supports the operational capacity of the UN system. Thus far, 40 countries have established national focal points on White Helmets. Projects have been carried out in some 15 countries throughout Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Operations range from disaster relief in Lebanon and Peru to demining in Angola and sanitation and education in Equatorial Guinea and Paraguay. The White Helmets are often linked to national NGOs, community-based organizations and other civil soceity organizations. This way local people can participate and their capacity be increased. The initiative has proven highly successful, as it brings a wide range of expertise into areas stricken by disasters. As the originator of the White Helmets initiative, Argentina has established the White Helmets Commission, which collaborates closely with the United Nations Volunteers(UNV). ESTABLISHING AN INTERNATIONAL COURT"There can be no justice unless the worst of crimes -- crimes against humanity -- are subject to the law. In this age, more than ever, we recognize that the crime of genocide against one people truly is an assault on us all -- a crime against humanity. The establishment of an international criminal court will ensure that humanity's response will be swift and will be just". Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General. One of the primary objectives of the United Nations is securing universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals throughout the world. In this connection, few topics are of greater importance than the fight against impunity and the struggle for peace and justice and human rights in conflict situations in today's world. The establishment of a permanent international criminal court is seen as a decisive step forward. An international criminal court has been called the missing link in the international legal system. The International Court of Justice at The Hague has jurisdiction only over States, not individuals. The international community will meet in Rome, Italy, from 15 June to 17 July to finalize a draft statute which, when ratified, would establish such a court.
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