Originally published on the CGS blog on December 5, 2007.
While logistical and political roadblocks have slowed down efforts to deploy peacekeeping force to Darfur, support is growing for a new tool to address grave humanitarian crises a United Nations Emergency Peace Service (UNEPS). 54 organizations just sent a letter to members of Congress urging them to support H. Res. 213 , a resolution calling for the creation of UNEPS.
As envisioned, UNEPS would be a U.N. integrated mission capable of intervening in the early stages of civil conflicts, genocides or other humanitarian crises. Signatories to the letter include an array of NGOs representing the peace and conflict resolution community, think tanks, civil rights, faith-based and human rights organizations. Among the groups signing the letter are: Save Darfur, Refugees International, the Center for American Progress, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Presbyterian Church, USA and Human Rights Watch. In the letter they say that:
“In recent years, the international community has been increasingly called upon to respond rapidly and effectively to emerging crises, yet lacks the tools to consistently answer this call. We believe the time has come for a permanent emergency response service, designed to complement the capacity of the United Nations to provide stability, peace, and relief in deadly emergencies.”
Another recent supporter of the concept is presidential candidate John Edwards who in response to GlobalSolutions.org’ candidate questionniare said:
“I support the formation and funding of the United Nations Emergency Peace Service (UNEPS). The UNEPS, an emergency response service, will allow the international community to respond rapidly and effectively to crises. UNEPS can help prevent early stage crises from escalating into national or regional disasters. It is an important step in providing the world community with the international emergency service it needs. “
H. Res. 213 was introduced by Reps. Albert Wynn (D-MD) and James Walsh (R-NY) and currently has 24 co-sponsors. In a recent letter to their colleagues in the House, Wynn and Walsh noted:
“If the United Nations Peace Service (UNEPS) that we propose were in existence today, the people of Darfur would be already enjoying the protection of a well-trained peacekeeping unit capable of accomplishing its mission.”
But UNEPS is not just about Darfur. It is about preventing future Darfurs from spiraling out of control. If a few more Members of Congress agree to co-sponsor the resolution, we can put it on the agenda of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
