S/PV.8086 Security Council

In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations; Mr. Issoufou Yacouba, Police Commissioner of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali; Mr. Georges- Pierre Monchotte, Police Commissioner of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti; and Ms. Priscilla Makotose, Police Commissioner of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2017/926, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Italy. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2382 (2017). The intention is for this meeting to be as interactive as possible, along the lines of the briefing held last November (see S/PV.7808) and our dialogues with the Force Commanders. We look forward to questions from Council members to the Commissioners and from the Commissioners to the Council. I now give the floor to Mr. Lacroix. Mr. Lacroix: I would like to thank the Security Council for convening this briefing on the role of United Nations policing in peace operations. I would also like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on the adoption of resolution 2382 (2017), which builds on the milestone resolution 2185 (2014) and reflects the increasingly central role of United Nations police (UNPOL) in peacekeeping. I am particularly pleased that we are joined today by the Heads of the police components of our missions in Haiti, Mali and Darfur. They will share stories of accomplishments and challenges in the many areas of United Nations police work, including host-State police capacity-building and development, the protection of civilians, gender-sensitive policing and countering transnational organized crime. Last month here in the Chamber, the Secretary- General made it clear that he wants more efficient and cost-effective peace operations. The aim is for a more coherent approach to peace and security, development and human rights. What that means for United Nations police is a continued vital role in bridging United Nations work, from prevention to peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development. From the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Central African Republic and from South Sudan to Haiti, United Nations police provide operational support, assist in the reform of police services and, where appropriately mandated, undertake interim policing functions. I am pleased to share a few examples of how we achieve our mandates. First, United Nations police now operate on a solid foundation of police doctrine, that is, the Strategic Guidance Framework for International Police Peacekeeping, which was developed in close partnership with Member States, regional organizations and police professionals worldwide. That has allowed, for example, for the adoption of comprehensive approaches to police operations, capacity-building and development. United Nations police now focus not only on the transfer of basic skills but also on strengthening host-State police institutions. They mentor and advise at the command level, informed by close consultations with the host State. Commissioner Monchotte will brief the Council further in that regard. That work translates into improved management of human resources and recruitment, fleet and procurement systems, rigorous internal oversight mechanisms and increased outreach to communities. In addition, the Strategic Guidance Framework also allows us to improve efficiency in police generation and performance measurement. Streamlined recruitment processes enable us to better respond to host-State and mission needs and to identify specific skill sets needed in the field. The Police Division is also finalizing an accountability framework for United Nations policing, as called for in last year’s report of the Secretary-General (S/2016/952). Secondly, United Nations police play an increasingly vital and unique role in the protection of civilians, through community-oriented and intelligence-led policing. When our police officers walk the beat, they interact with local communities, establish trust, collect early warning signs and help our missions to better respond to imminent threats. Equally important is UNPOL’s work with host-State counterparts in prioritizing the protection of civilians and training them in their tasks. UNPOL also provide physical protection to civilians when the host State is unable or unwilling to do so. That multi-pronged approach  — which is now included in departmental guidance on the protection of civilians — ranges from prevention and information collection to training, advocacy and physical protection. Thirdly, United Nations police components are increasingly called upon to assist their host-State counterparts in fighting serious and organized crime. Commissioner Yacouba will share more details on UNPOL’s support for the Malian authorities in that regard. Our police components assist the host State in setting up criminal intelligence systems and using modern technology to prevent and investigate serious and organized crime. They also help to improve the police’s interactions and relationships with the communities in the host State, through better information sharing and partnerships to fight crime. Fourthly, improving our effectiveness means recruiting more women to our police ranks. As Police Commissioner Makotose will tell us, women police officers perform all the tasks that their male colleagues perform. In addition, they mentor and inspire future women police leaders, increase access to justice for women and children at risk and improve information gathering and analysis by reaching vulnerable groups. Unfortunately, few of our police leadership positions are occupied by women. We need more nominations of qualified women police executives from Member States. In December in Addis Ababa, the Secretariat will co-host, with the African Union, the first of four female senior police officer command development courses to prepare the next generation of female police leaders to take up international command positions. Finally, on the issue of conduct and discipline, United Nations police have received operational guidance on the implementation of resolution 2272 (2016). If needed, the Department will not hesitate to replace police units from countries that have failed to hold perpetrators accountable. As we demand more from our police officers, we also need to go the extra mile to ensure their welfare, safety and security in the field. We need to supply our police peacekeepers with up-to-date equipment to increase their situational awareness and to be in a better position to respond to threats to mission personnel. I believe we must also tackle disparities in conditions of service among different types of police personnel, which negatively impact morale. Today’s discussion will not resolve all police peacekeeping challenges. Nevertheless, my hope is that it will help us to further mobilize international support for the United Nations police and build on the momentum generated by the first-ever Security Council resolution on the United Nations police in 2014, as well as resolution 2382 (2017), adopted today, and the first United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit. I look forward to hearing the Council’s views how we can together strengthen United Nations police.

I thank Mr. Lacroix for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Yacouba.

I would first like to express my gratitude for this opportunity to address the Security Council on the important issue of strengthening the capacity of Mali’s security forces in the fight against organized crime and terrorism. The Mali context is plagued by a resurgence of terrorist attacks in the north, and increasingly in the centre of the country, against the Mali’s defence and security forces, as well as the forces of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Operation Barkhane and the civilian population. During their recent visit, Council members were able to assess the extent of the consequences of those attacks. Between 2013 and 26 October this year, direct and indirect attacks injured 387 peacekeepers and killed 86 personnel from MINUSMA, while 172 staff from humanitarian non-governmental organizations were subject to multiple acts of violence, including executions and kidnappings. The Malian forces and the civilian population are also suffering, and just this morning six civilians were killed, and a further 10 injured, by an explosive device in the Gao region. The situation is equally disturbing from the socioeconomic standpoint. For instance, more than 500 schools in the centre and north of the country remain closed. Criminal groups are experiencing success due to the enormous resources that they are drawing from all types of trafficking, and through substituting the State by providing security and basic social services to the inhabitants of their zones of influence, where the local population are reluctant to cooperate with the Malian defence and security forces or international forces due to fear of retaliation. The security situation in the subregion is hardly exemplary. It is in that context that, as members are aware, the States of the Group of Five for the Sahel are endeavouring to stand up a Joint Force to fight terrorism and transnational organized crime  — at the heart of which the investigation and repression of crime must be better taken into account. In line with resolution 2364 (2017), MINUSMA is striving to support the establishment of reformed defence and security institutions to contribute to the restoration of State authority and the subsequent return of basic social services, as stipulated in the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation. MINUSMA is also supporting the development of a national strategy to prevent and combat violent extremism and terrorism. That vision must in particular unify all the relevant State and non-State bodies in order to prevent threats linked to terrorism. That explains the importance and urgent need to establish effective local security measures, for which MINUSMA has developed a detailed concept to involve the local population in identifying and resolving its own security challenges. Whether acting alone or in concert with partners, MINUSMA police support the capacity-building of Mali’s structures to combat organized crime and terrorism. At the strategic level, the United Nations has contributed to the drafting of a national strategy to ensure that the gender perspective is taken into account. Through its capacity-building activities, MINUSMA has trained nearly 24,000 security force personnel, including 1,385 in the fight against organized crime and terrorism. The Mission is also engaged in the construction and renovation of infrastructure, the provision of equipment and support for the operational co-location and coordination efforts, particularly the nine specialized units through which MINUSMA provides a range of advice and expertise. To that end, MINUSMA police continue to support the work of the Malian specialized judicial unit and has made available its scientific and technical police laboratory, while supporting the setting up of a similar national laboratory. The specialized investigations brigade alone handled 71 cases related to terrorism, money laundering, weapon-smuggling and human trafficking. The implementation of our mandate is fraught with challenges, especially with regard to the process of reforming the security sector, which is slow in coming to fruition. Other challenges lie in the weak governance of the justice, security and defence sectors, the size of the Malian territory, the climate, the porous nature of the country’s borders, the multiple obstacles to implementing the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation, and the deficits in the deployment of specialized and French-speaking police and armoured vehicles at the disposal of formed police units. Despite the efforts made thus far, the security and social fabric is continuing to deteriorate seriously in the Sahel. It is therefore my humble opinion that the countries of the subregion of the Sahel and their neighbours would benefit from a more dynamic approach focused on a merging of sectoral strategies. Before concluding, I would like to recall that MINUSMA police and the various stakeholders strongly support the Malian defence and security forces in carrying out their activities, reform and redeployment, despite the many challenges, as well as constraints in terms of personnel and logistics, facing them.

I thank Mr. Yacouba for his briefing. (spoke in English) I now give the floor to Mr. Monchotte.

I would like to highlight today the good practices developed during the transition by the police component of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), which began on 16 October, in a crucial area of ​our mandate, namely, the strengthening of the capacity of the Haitian National Police (HNP). That transition period has presented two major challenges for the police component. The first concerned ensuring the smooth management of the reduction of contingents by 69 per cent — that is to say, going from 951 international police personnel for MINUSTAH to 295 for MINUJUSTH. That was made possible by precise departure planning, based on the innovative structure of a committee dedicated to renewing the contracts of the international police officers. The second challenge involved the need to adapt our efforts to the new situation in the crucial area of ​ capacity-building for the HNP, including promoting gender equality. In line with the guidelines that I developed with the consent of the Director General of the HNP, another version of the previous model was developed. It was designed so as to ensure the smoothest transition possible to MINUJUSTH and offer a new approach to transferring skills on another scale. Its goal is aimed at establishing cultural and strategic change in the way in which the HNP is supported. The programme, known as the guidance and support programme, is based on mentoring the senior management of the HNP, in particular in the areas of command and control, operational planning and administrative management. Accordingly, 205 international experts were assigned to an exterior, exo-skeletal unit, which has been attached to the HNP, alongside 150 senior officers of the Haitian police, holding positions of responsibility within general management and the central and departmental directorates, as well as specialized units. The United Nations police officers who were deployed to that programme were selected based on their professional and linguistic skills, as well as their experience in the sought-out areas. The programme has been implemented in four successive phases according to the deadlines set for the closing of MINUSTAH. A pilot project in one department served as a benchmark for the entire process, and its assessment enabled the monitoring committee to make the necessary changes before deploying it in other departments of the country.cThe subsequent three phases involve its implementation in the nine other departments so as to conclude with the western part of the country, which includes the capital. In order to encourage participation, buy-in and ownership, a total of 11 round tables with elected officials, magistrates and personnel from both forces were led by the Director General of the Haitian National Police and myself throughout the country. A list of posts and skills was drawn up to inform contributing countries of those developments through the Police Division, as well as to encourage them to provide the appropriate resources to appoint female personnel with the required skills and qualifications where they must be more widely represented. The international police experts were trained with those of the HNP in the preliminary phases and provided with documentation — furnished for the first time through a joint effort by the operational and development pillars of the police component — that spelled out and publicized the various skill sets. In conclusion, it is clear that that programme is the main focus of the police component, and that that reform, implemented in accordance to the deadlines established pursuant to resolution 2350 (2017), will be able to develop and begin to function optimally only if the police component receives the necessary support for carrying out its work, including, on the one hand, equipment, especially with regard to vehicles, infrastructure and a well-functioning helicopter component, and, on the other, human resources, including the authorized allocation of 295 qualified personnel. Although we have demonstrated that we can do more with less, the road before us remains long.

I thank Mr. Monchotte for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Makotose. Ms. Makotose: I thank you, Sir, for this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the work of the police component of African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). Resolution 2363 (2017) conferred to main priorities to the UNAMID mandate. The first is to protect civilians across Darfur. That includes active patrolling in areas at high risk of conflict and with high concentrations of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and securing IDP camps, adjacent areas and migration routes to ensure a more effective response to threats of violence against civilians. More specifically, we have conducted several thousand patrols in support of the physical protection of civilians, including more than 2,300 confidence-building patrols to camps for the displaced, and more than 2,600 to respond to the security needs of internally displaced persons, particularly women and children engaged in livelihood activities outside their camps. Additionally, UNAMID police have undertaken more than 500 joint patrols with community policing volunteers, and have managed public order during the distribution of humanitarian assistance. The second mandate priority is establishing a protective environment by engaging communities in community-policing initiatives and supporting the capacity-building of the Sudanese police in Darfur. Community policing volunteers engage with the community on various issues, such as advocating participation in the Government’s arms collection programme and urging IDPs and Sudanese uniformed personnel to respect the buffer zone and avoid provocation during presidential visits. With regard to capacity-building for the Sudanese police force, we support the institutional development of the police in line with our joint programme for the rule of law and human rights. I should also like give a brief update on the reconfiguration of the police component. We have successfully withdrawn from 14 team sites with minimum challenges. We have repatriated two formed police units (FPUs), while the repatriation of contingent- owned equipment remains ongoing. Two FPUs have also been delinked from the military and relocated at two of the six team sites earmarked for the reconfiguration. Some challenges were encountered and are now being managed for the four team sites and the two temporary operating bases that are to be implemented in the second phase. Supervising and monitoring the closed team sites has not been easy, as road and weather conditions have affected our movement. The military numbers and capabilities are different from those of the FPU, which will have an impact on the outputs that will be possible in those delinked team sites. The UNAMID police component strives to implement our mandate in a gender-responsive way. Under the guidance of the Secretary-General’s gender parity strategy, we have advocated for, and are thankful to, Member States to respond to the call for skilled staff. The UNAMID police now includes 20 per cent female individual police officers and four professional staff out of 16, with two more in process. Both males and females are deployed at team sites and in sector headquarters, where they are all engaged in all forms of duties. Females are encouraged to apply for leadership positions, and we have conducted leadership-training workshops to support their confidence-building and to mentor them. The UNAMID Police Women’s Network also continues to meet and encourage the empowerment of women. Men are also part of the Network, and I am happy to report that in one sector there are more male than female members. Those are just a few of the many internal efforts made, as we also assist and advocate for the Sudanese police force in Darfur to mainstream gender. There is greater awareness now, but females remain few in number and none hold senior leadership positions. We are working on some projects that we hope, if supported by donors, will see marked progress. That progress is essential if we are to fully support the prevention and management of conflict-related sexual violence and sexual and gender-based violence in Darfur. The patrols continue to receive information, but some victims are so traumatized and afraid of stigmatization that they do not come out. More advocacy and support for those victims is required. Women in Darfur remain the main players in economic and livelihood income-generating activities, as many males continue to avoid venturing out for fear of being killed. For their efforts, some women are raped, harassed or abused. More work needs to be done to support those women with safe economic and income-generating activities. Of course, it would be more helpful if the Sudanese police force in Darfur’s capacity to investigate and prosecute offenders were enhanced. For us to receive more female peacekeepers, the national police services must themselves include proportional national representation. Females need additional training and mentoring to build their confidence. More role models are required. And Member States need to second more qualified females for senior positions.

I thank Ms. Makotose for her briefing. I would like to thank all the briefers for their valuable input. I shall now give the floor to the members of the Security Council.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and the Police Commissioners for their briefings. It is quite inspiring to hear about the work that they do and the challenges that they face every day in completing their mission. It is clear to us that police work is a crucial part of United Nations peacekeeping. I also want to thank Italy for putting forth the resolution that we adopted today, resolution 2382 (2017). It is truly an important step towards improving the performance of United Nations police. One of the key elements of our efforts to make United Nations peacekeeping more effective is a clear exit strategy. The ability of a peacekeeping mission to complete its work and depart depends on our collective ability to strengthen the capacity of the State to provide for the safety of its citizens. Alas, as we have seen in many countries with peacekeeping missions, host Governments often not only lack capacity in their security sector institutions, but basic legitimacy with the citizens they are meant to protect and to serve. In those contexts, we must not only build the capacity of security sector institutions, but redefine the very notion of what a country’s military, political and justice institutions are meant to achieve. That requires building an integrated security architecture that seeks to ensure the safety of citizens rather than the longevity of the Governments that lack legitimacy with their own citizens. Police have a crucial role to play in making that vision a reality. In the recent transition from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti to the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti, we have seen the essential role that United Nations police play in working with national forces to maintain security and stability while seeking to build the capability of the Haitian National Police. We are hopeful that the new Mission will find a willing and engaged partner in the Haitian Government, as the Mission begins to implement its rule-of-law programme. Likewise, as the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur continues its planned reconfiguration, the role of the mission’s police forces will take on even greater importance in building local capacity. The challenges in Mali are different and great. United Nations police in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali assist Malian authorities in addressing the transnational crime and drug trafficking that fuel terrorist movements in the region, as we saw during our recent Security Council visit to the Sahel. Such assistance and capacity-building is a crucial element, as part of a larger package of assistance, to creating an environment conducive to a solution to the overall conflict. Police cannot be second-class citizens in United Nations peacekeeping. The United Nations bureaucracy must model the same level of integration among military, police and justice components that we seek to develop in host nations through peacekeeping operations. Police expertise must be consistently integrated into the mandates and decision-making structures of United Nations peace operations  — both peacekeeping and special political missions. We welcome this resolution’s emphasis on strengthening United Nations police doctrine and its implementation, as well as the call to define clearer standards for personnel, equipment, operations, performance and assistance to host State police services. We also welcome efforts to collect, manage and analyse data on peacekeeping operational requirements and unit field performance to support performance-based decision-making. Over the past 14 years, the United States has demonstrated its strong commitment to improving the performance of United Nations police by investing more than $40 million to directly train or support 16,000 from 15 countries. We see the partnerships called for in today’s resolution as crucial to continuing to build capacity to deploy well- qualified, well-trained police to peacekeeping. Ultimately, we recognize the essential role of the United Nations police in building the capacity of host nations to ensure the safety of all their citizens and creating the conditions for successful mission conclusions. Today’s resolution is an important step towards ensuring that United Nations police are able to help secure lasting and sustainable peace in United Nations peace operations around the world.

We express appreciation to the Italian presidency for taking the initiative to organize this briefing meeting on the activities of United Nations police forces. We thank Under-Secretary-General Jean- Pierre Lacroix for his briefing. We are also grateful to the three Police Commissioners — from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur  — for sharing their field experiences. My delegation has no doubt that we have indeed benefited from their briefings. We welcome the adoption of resolution 2382 (2017) and commend Italy, as the penholder, for facilitating the negotiations on the resolution, which we hope will contribute to enhancing the role of United Nations police. Ethiopia recognizes the important role that United Nations police play in promoting stability and long- term development in countries affected by conflict. The landscape where United Nations peacekeepers are deployed today has changed dramatically. The significance of United Nations police has never been as critical as now, in the light of the corresponding change in conflict dynamics, the transformation in the size and complexity of peacekeeping mandates and the evolving trends towards multidimensional peacekeeping. During our visit to the countries of the Group of Five for the Sahel, we got a close-up look at the critical role played by the MINUSMA police component in Mali. We agree with what Commissioner Yacouba said earlier. We also appreciate what the police component of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur has been doing, as highlighted by Police Commissioner Makotose, including the demonstrated gender sensitivity. United Nations police have become a vital component of peacekeeping, particularly in carrying out mandated tasks related to supporting the capacities of host States’ law enforcement institutions. The role that United Nations police components play in facilitating the transitions from peacekeeping to development and peacebuilding is also very crucial. Past and recent experiences, such as in Liberia, as well as in other cases, show the demonstrable success of United Nations police in peacebuilding and sustaining peace. In particular, their functions in supporting host States through monitoring and restructuring local police forces, training and advising other law enforcement institutions, as well as restoring and promoting public safety and safeguarding the rule of law, have been indispensable. We believe that national ownership should be the guiding principle of United Nations police when supporting host States in building and developing the capacities of local police forces. National capacity gaps of host States should also inform the composition of United Nations police components, particularly during planning, recruitment, the provision of guidance and training. Where mandated, the managing of civilian tasks that United Nations police undertake, including in preventing and addressing violence against women and children in the context of conflict and post-conflict situations, also remain very instrumental. In that regard, the deployment of women police officers will have practical and positive impacts on winning the trust of local communities. That is why increasing the participation of women in United Nations peacekeeping is very important. It is a source of pride to note that Ethiopia is one of the leading contributors in that regard. There is no doubt that peacekeeping mandates related to police activities need to be clear and achievable. Of course, police-contributing countries should ensure that the forces that they deploy in the field — individual police officers, formed police units and specialized police teams  — are well trained and equipped in order to implement such mandates. Furthermore, the Secretariat has a key role to play, including through enhancing the effectiveness of strategic generation of police personnel with better planning, appropriate expertise, language skills and operational readiness. Therefore, strengthening United Nations policing operational coherence within the United Nations system remains very important. In that regard, we believe that triangular cooperation regarding policing among the Security Council, troop- and police-contributing countries and the Secretariat is key to strengthening the effectiveness of United Nations police in peacekeeping. Finally, Ethiopia has made very modest contributions to United Nations police, including police officers who served in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, which just concluded its mandate and which is now transitioning into MINUJUSTH. I want to conclude by reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to enhancing its participation and contributions to United Nations police in the years ahead.

I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting on United Nations policing. We also commend the leadership of the Italian presidency in preparing and negotiating resolution 2382 (2017), which we just adopted. I express gratitude to Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix for his comprehensive briefing. We are particularly thankful to the Police Commissioners who briefed us today. As an active police- and troop-contributing country, Ukraine fully supports efforts to enhance the efficiency the United Nations policing in field operations. We note that, despite the challenges faced by the uniformed personnel of the United Nations, United Nations police contingents have a solid record of achievements. For instance, the police component of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) played an important role in ensuring stability and security during particularly difficult times for Haiti. Its contribution to strengthening the capacity of State institutions, in particular the Haitian National Police, is second to none. The transition to the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) testifies both to the successful completion of MINUSTAH’s mandate and the readiness to move towards to a new form of the presence of the United Nations in the country. MINUJUSTH should provide crucial support in advancing those important transformations and consolidating the progress achieved. We have full confidence that the new Mission will effectively deliver on the mandated tasks, including further support and development of the Haitian National Police. Challenges faced by United Nations police components on the ground have evolved significantly and warrant thorough consideration by the Council. On the other side of the globe, asymmetrical threats in Africa remain an issue of particular concern in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). September and October were among the deadliest months for peacekeepers serving in Mali. Ukraine strongly condemns the recent terrorist attacks on MINUSMA personnel. The ongoing instability in Mali remains one of the main factors causing a spillover of violence into neighbouring countries. In that regard, we remain of the view that security sector reform and the deployment of the Malian police, defence and security forces throughout the country to combat violent extremists and maintain law and order are urgently needed. Given the fact that MINUSMA remains the primary target of terrorist attacks, along with the growing sophistication of such attacks, we are convinced that enhancing the safety and security of police personnel and peacekeepers should be among the top priority tasks of the Secretariat. United Nations police must be adequately prepared to undertake complex tasks in preventing, mitigating and resolving violent conflicts and contributing to early peacebuilding and reconciliation. In that regard, I would like to highlight several points that we consider important to further improve the efficiency of United Nations policing. First, Ukraine supports the development of the Strategic Guidance Framework for International Police Peacekeeping, which should provide a solid foundation for strengthening international cooperation on United Nations policing. Further efforts to ensure the full implementation of the Strategic Guidance Framework by all United Nations police components on the ground should be taken as a matter of priority. Secondly, predeployment and in-mission training for police personnel of United Nations peace operations should be enhanced. The Police Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ukraine, with its predeployment course certified by the United Nations, is one of our contributions to that endeavour. Thirdly, peacekeeping operations (PKOs) should be provided with resilient mandates and advanced technologies, so as to effectively contribute to ensuring security and public order, including stopping illegal cross-border flows of weapons, criminal elements, foreign terrorist fighters along with mercenaries. PKOs must possess the appropriate means and resources necessary for the effective monitoring and verification of ceasefire agreements and other relevant arrangements, including on disarmament. Finally, it is important to remain dynamic in registering formed police units’ commitments through the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. Timely troop generation and deployment are prerequisites for any mission’s success. To that end, triangular cooperation among police-contributing countries, the Secretariat and the Council should be maintained and further developed. Equally critical is the maximum engagement of women in United Nations peace activities, as was rightly mentioned by Police Commissioner Makotose. Let me conclude by commending the Police Commissioners who are with us today and their personnel for their dedicated service to the United Nations.

I, too, would like to thank the Italian presidency for convening today’s briefing. My thanks also go to our briefers, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under- Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, and the Police Commissioners of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. With the adoption of resolution 2185 (2014), the Security Council adopted its first resolution related to activities of United Nations police and underscored that police work makes a valuable contribution to peacekeeping. The growing relevance and importance of police work in peacekeeping operations was manifest in the holding of the first Chiefs of Police Summit, which took place in June 2016, where Ministers of the Interior, Heads of Police and high-level officials from more than 100 Member States met to analyse the evolution of United Nations police work. Uruguay welcomes today’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2382 (2017), which highlights the interest generated on this issue. With this resolution, the Security Council clearly sets out the central role played by United Nations police in peacekeeping efforts and the maintenance of international security. In that regard, the resolution provides strategic guidance to help to strengthen the ongoing efforts of the police, as well as to ensure that police components are able to continue to evolve hand in hand with the reform process of peacekeeping operations. I would therefore like to thank the Italian presidency for having taken the initiative of drafting the resolution. I also thank the other members of the Council for their constructive spirit throughout the negotiations, which made it possible to arrive at an ambitious consensual text. Uruguay is a long-standing contributing country and is highly committed to United Nations peacekeeping operations. My country has been contributing police to peacekeeping operations since 1991, when we first deployed personnel to the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala. To date we have without interruption contributed to numerous United Nations missions, including those in Mozambique, Timor- Leste, Western Sahara, Angola, Liberia, Côte D’Ivoire and Haiti. Our participation is oriented towards the deployment of individual police officers, who mostly act as instructors and advisers, and in some cases also undertake executive tasks. As a police-contributing country, Uruguay wishes to express its gratitude for the assessment work of the Police Division of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, in particular its visits to countries that decide to contribute personnel. In that connection, it is essential to continue to improve training for formed police units and police officials, particularly in the area of protecting civilians, taking into account the increasingly complex environments in which peacekeeping operations are deployed. Also as a police-contributing country, Uruguay meets all United Nations requirements thanks to the training provided by our National Peace Operations Training Institute, where both military and the police components for service with the United Nations are trained. Training is comprehensive, with a special focus on zero-tolerance policies on sexual abuse and exploitation, gender policies and human rights training. To make this meeting a little more interactive, as you, Mr. President, called for at its commencement, I would like to direct a question to MINUJUSTH Police Commissioner Monchotte. In his judgement, what will be the major challenges facing MINUJUSTH in successfully fulfilling its mandate?

I would like to begin by thanking Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and the Police Commissioners for their valuable briefings to the Security Council today. I also welcome the new United Nations Police Adviser, Mr. Luis Carrilho, and take this opportunity to thank his predecessor, Mr. Stefan Feller, for his services. Let me also add how encouraging and nice it is to see all these Blue Berets here today in the Council. They are fundamental as security providers and capacity-builders. They are essential to the establishment of the rule of law and contribute to long-term sustainable peace. Landmark resolution 2185 (2014), the first resolution devoted solely to United Nations policing, was adopted by the Council in 2014. With resolution 2185 (2014) as the starting point and baseline, we have today adopted resolution 2382 (2017) on United Nations policing, which builds on its legacy. To further enhance United Nations policing, we can draw on the recommendations in the Secretary-General’s report on policing (S/2016/952) and the external review of the Police Division from May 2016. From those solid foundations, we can continue to enhance the role of policing in preventing conflict, promoting the rule of law and protecting civilians. Since 1964, Sweden has continuously contributed policing capacity to United Nations peace operations. Swedish police officers are today present in eight United Nations peace operations, and we are currently assessing further contributions. While the challenges within peace operations have evolved greatly over the past 53 years, the value of police components remains clear. Today, police components provide operational support to national policing institutions and to institutional reform. They also support capacity- building and an integrated approach to rule-of-law and security sector reform efforts. That broad range of functions and activities serves to highlight the unique and central role that United Nations policing plays across the peace continuum, linking and mutually reinforcing the development, peace and security and human rights pillars. Building effective, responsive and representative police services, as a part of functioning rule-of-law institutions, is one important cornerstone of building sustainable peace and stable and resilient societies. For that reason, we must be mindful of including the broader rule-of-law and justice chain in our approach, and also contribute corrections officers, prosecutors and judges to serve alongside police officers in peace operations. For example, in Liberia, a country where Swedish police and corrections officers have served for over a decade, there is an ongoing joint United Nations Development Programme-United Nations Mission in Liberia rule of law programme in place. Police and other rule-of-law actors are working together there and are supported by the United Nations global focal point on police, justice and corrections to ensure a smooth transition from the outgoing mission to the United Nations country team. That will enable a continuation of efforts to enhance community access to justice and strengthen the capacity of security institutions. In the Central African Republic, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic’s police component have worked together with Malian authorities to establish a rapid response unit for sexual and gender-based violence within the Central African Republic’s national police service. By working with national authorities and other United Nations entities, the police component has strengthened the capacity to address sexual and gender-based violence within the country. As we have said on numerous occasions before in the Council, the mandates of our peacekeeping operations need to be realistic, context-tailored and flexible. That requires high-quality, context-sensitive and inclusive analysis from the Secretariat. Integrating policing advice as part of that analysis needs to be standard practice in the process of developing mandates and in their renewal. As our briefers underlined today, we need to continue to increase the number of female police officers serving with the United Nations. Doing so would ensure that missions better reflect the communities in which they work and enhance their effectiveness in the delivery of mandates. Missions also need to strengthen their ability to integrate and support the role of women in building peaceful societies. Sweden is strongly supportive of the Secretary- General’s efforts to reform the United Nations peace and security architecture so that the United Nations system is better able to deliver on its overarching mission to prevent conflict and sustain peace. In the light of the unique position of police at the intersection between security and development, police functions will be essential to achieving that objective. Turning to our briefers today, I would like to pose a few short questions, if I may. First, in their view, how can policing advice be better integrated into the formulation of mandates so as to better support their activities in the field? Secondly, in the light of the sharp focus on police and the rule of law of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti, I would be interested to hear about Commissioner Monchotte’s key reflections so far concerning the transitional work of the Mission. Twelve thousand United Nations police officers from almost 90 countries are now serving with United Nations missions across the globe. By working with national institutions, they serve and protect communities and ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law. Their work is central to delivering on the mandates agreed by the Council and to supporting national efforts to create prosperous, stable and peaceful societies. We owe them our full support.

We thank the Italian presidency for convening this important briefing and commend its effective stewardship in preparing resolution 2382 (2017), which we adopted today. We also thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and the Police Commissioners for their valuable input. In regard to the topic of today’s briefing, our delegation offers the following observations. First, in light of the overall United Nations reforms, and especially in peace operations, as recommended by the 2015 reports, United Nations policing also demands our attention. To sustain peace, we need to develop clear mandates and directives for police contingents, with strong units for the rule of law, security sector reform, the protection of civilians, human rights and the empowerment of women and youth. Such an approach will lead to the national stability of host countries, with the main focus on capacity-building to prevent new conflicts or the recurrence of existing ones. It is equally important to attract investments for future economic recovery and development. Second, the United Nations police’s main task should concentrate on strengthening national police, justice and corrections institutions, and those that hold them accountable, especially at a time when most mechanisms have been destroyed as a result of conflict. Those processes require the fair and efficient delivery of justice by a sufficient number of competent, ethical and independent officials with adequate training and educational support. Third, national ownership is imperative, with priorities identified by State authorities and civil society. They should be consistent with the cultural and legal traditions of the host country, yet not in conflict with international norms. Those must operate without causing greater tensions, thereby worsening the situation on the ground. Fourth, restoring and maintaining peace and stability is a long-term process. It therefore requires close and long-standing consolidation and cooperation among national, regional and international partners, as well as donors and all other relevant stakeholders, such as the private sector, academia, civil society and the media. Fifth, support for the police and other personnel is just as vital to the success of our peacekeeping operations as it is for our military forces, and so we must strengthen the ability of police-contributing countries (PCCs) to speedily prepare and deploy qualified personnel to new missions. Sixth, a critical issue to resolve is the role of the United Nations police when involved with the military in the protection of civilians. That also calls for areas and modalities of coordination between the police and the military in various overlapping protection situations, based on the type of violence and other community-based variables. Seventh, we will also need to address broader capability and training gaps by expanding the number of PCCs with high capabilities. It would also be helpful to encourage further political engagement between PCCs and troop-contributing countries to understand mutual responsibilities in various tasks from conflict prevention and resolution to peacebuilding and sustaining peace. Finally, Kazakhstan is committed to the United Nations police playing a vital role in promoting lasting stability, peace, security and development, and is willing to explore the ways in which we can engage the capabilities of United Nations policing within peace operations.

I would like to begin by thanking Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and the Police Commissioners of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSТН) and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for sharing their experiences with us today. I also express my heartfelt appreciation to all peacekeepers for their contribution in the face of severe challenges on the ground. We welcome today’s discussion as part of the Council’s broader focus throughout the year on making peacekeeping operations as effective as possible through better mandates, capabilities and force generation. Resolution 2382 (2017), which we adopted today, also follows the important work of 2014 on the rule of law, good governance and oversight of security institutions through resolution 2151 (2014), on security sector reform, and resolution 2185 (2014), on policing. We have had a series of discussions on peacekeeping in the Chamber this year. We have had good discussions, and Japan believes that it is time to move from proposals to action. Today’s resolution will provide important guidance on the way ahead. All of the missions represented today offer important lessons and insights. I would first like to highlight Haiti, since the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) successfully completed its operations last month. The support of MINUSTAH to the Haitian National Police provided a successful example of the role of policing based on national ownership. MINUSTAH adapted to changing circumstances on the ground through community violence-reduction initiatives, while supporting police capacity-building, improved criminal justice procedures, joint patrols and the development of the 2017-2021 strategic plan. The transition to MINUJUSТН also serves as a model for how United Nations peacekeeping missions should adapt as a country’s needs change as part of an eventual exit strategy. The briefing provided by Mr. Yacouba reminds us that the role of police in MINUSMA is vital. Due to the growing security threat in Mali, we tend to focus on the Malian defence and security forces, but security and justice cannot be delivered by them alone. The primary objective of the mandate of MINUSMA is to support the Government’s efforts for the gradual restoration and extension of State authority, including the Malian police. Japan has been providing capacity-building assistance to the Malian police, in cooperation with the United Nations police. Regarding UNAMID, we look forward to the ongoing efforts of the Mission’s police to strengthen local police to undertake protection of civilians tasks, as well as for the safe and voluntary return of internally displaced persons as the Mission’s drawdown progresses. We hope that in so doing, UNAMID will continue to set new standards for dealing with gender- related issues. During its Council presidency in December, Japan hopes to round out this year’s discussions by holding a meeting on effective and efficient training and capacity-building based on the report of the Secretary- General mandated by resolution 2378 (2017). The year 2018, in turn, will be the year to translate our various discussions and resolutions into concrete results in the field  — a goal shared with the Secretary-General’s reforms. Interaction with the wider United Nations membership will be key to our success. Japan looks forward to actively supporting those efforts.

At the outset, I would like to thank the Police Commissioners for their briefings and express my deep appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices that they and police personnel make in peacekeeping operations with a view to promoting peace and stabilization. Our annual meeting is an important occasion for the Council to avail itself of the expertise and experiences of those operating in the field. It also helps us to better understand the dimensions of the challenges being faced and to develop appropriate policies to elevate United Nations policing. In that context, we welcome the adoption of resolution 2382 (2017) on United Nations police operations, which strengthens the role of United Nations police operations and appropriately recognizes them as a key component of United Nations missions. I commend the role played by the delegation of Italy in drafting this resolution. Over the past two years, the United Nations has undertaken a comprehensive reform of its peace and security architecture, which has been guided by the review of United Nations peacekeeping operations carried out by the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations and the recommendations of the Secretary-General on the peace and security architecture of the Secretariat. The Organization lacks a comprehensive vision to address conflicts while taking the needs, specificities and priorities of host communities and States into account. This has led us to improve the tools available to the Organization, in particular its peacekeeping operations, in order to effectively address the emerging challenges and deal with the complex situations that characterize most United Nations missions. It goes without saying that United Nations police operations are not excluded from these efforts. The police component plays a key role in implementing United Nations peacekeeping mandates and provides a foundation for the transition from a peacekeeping operation to a United Nations civilian presence. It also contributes to preventing a relapse into conflict by assuming tasks related to the capacity-building of national institutions and enabling host countries to extend security control throughout their territory. Police also ensure security for the holding of elections and they are citizens’ first point of contact with the United Nations on the ground. They also play an important role in building trust in the United Nations within communities. In this respect, we reiterate our full support for the police component, as reflected in our contributions of police contingents to most United Nations missions and in our status as the third-largest police contributor. In 2016 and 2017, Egypt has contributed to three of the most difficult United Nations missions, including the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. We have also pledged to deploy additional United Nations police units that have been refitted with Peacekeeping Capability Readiness Systems. In addition, we contribute armoured vehicles to United Nations missions. I should like to take this opportunity to ask Police Commissioners some questions, without prejudice to our adoption of the highest standards of predeployment training and modern equipment required to carry out the critical tasks entrusted to the police component. My first question is addressed to Ms. Priscilla Makotose, Police Commissioner of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). In the light of the significant improvements in the security situation in Darfur and the drawdown of UNAMID adopted by the Security Council, what measures is the Mission taking to ensure stability and shore up the efforts of the Sudanese Government during the handover of security responsibilities to local authorities? My second question is for the Police Commissioner of MINUSMA. In the light of the increasing security threats, which have made MINUSMA the most dangerous Mission, what measures have been taken to improve security at headquarters, in line with the magnitude of these threats? I would also like to inquire about the efforts made to improve community outreach. Given the role of community outreach in ensuring the safety and security of missions, what steps should the Council take to support the mandate of the Mission? My third and last question is addressed to the Police Commissioner of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti. Resolution 2350 (2017) has given the Mission a mandate focused on strengthening rule of law institutions and the Haitian National Police. I would like to know if, in his view, this has contributed to the success of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, and subsequently to that of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti, and if it is useful to include building national institutions as a pillar in the mandates of United Nations missions, while taking into account the specificities of each conflict. In conclusion, I take this opportunity to express to the Police Commissioners our deep appreciation for their efforts and sacrifice in the context of peacekeeping operations.

I want to thank our briefers for sharing their analyses with us today, and particularly to welcome Police Commissioner Makotose to the Council. I also want to thank the presidency and the Secretariat for ensuring that we hear women’s voices in this Chamber, not just on policing but on all the issues we discuss. At the outset, I would like to echo my Swedish colleague and to ask all the Blue Berets at today’s meeting to pass on to their officers the Security Council’s thanks and admiration for their service and bravery. Their work and sacrifice in fragile and post- conflict States is a vital part of peacekeeping operations and special political missions. From Haiti to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from Afghanistan to South Sudan, the men and women of United Nations policing put their lives on the line to protect the most vulnerable as their communities emerge from conflict. Their presence allows people to rebuild their lives, their communities, their livelihoods after the guns have fallen silent, and they help embed longer-term stability by promoting the rule of law, human rights and by helping build capable and accountable security institutions that can stand on their own two feet without United Nations support. It is because of the important role of United Nations policing that it is so vital that we hold these meetings. We are the organ that tasks those men and women with risking their lives, and so it is important that we hear directly from the police commanders about what more the Council can do to support them and their officers. As we all know too well, the threats they face do not stand still. If United Nations policing is to stay effective, then we  — whether Council members, police-contributing countries or police commanders — need to be ready to respond and reform. That is why we would have liked to have seen resolution 2382 (2017) go further in terms of reform. There is still much to be done in order to ensure that United Nations policing is as effective and efficient as possible. For example, the United Kingdom wants to see a more flexible approach to the police function — one that adapts according to the situation each mission faces. This should be underpinned by a strong analytical capability that can undertake the continuous analysis necessary to ensure support remains appropriate to needs on the ground. In parallel, we would like to see the Secretariat make more regular and effective use of specialists with skills relevant to the situation at hand. This would require the introduction of better and more transparent administrative arrangements to absorb and utilize this expertise. Additionally, it is crucial that policing be incorporated into integrated planning and assessment processes, both in New York and in missions, so that the various mission components complement one another. In this regard, I want to highlight and commend the good work of the Global Focal Point for Police, Justice and Corrections, a working arrangement between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the United Nations Development Programme, UN-Women, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and others, which provides joint operational country support in the police, justice and corrections areas in post-conflict and other crisis situations. It is an example of the United Nations providing more effective, coherent and coordinated country-level assistance, which we would like to see more of. I also want to stress the United Kingdom’s continuing support for the external review 2016 recommendations. We are keen to see progress being made on these areas, including those referenced in the Secretary-General’s report. Let me conclude with a final reflection. United Nations police are present throughout the continuum of conflict. The Blue Berets are usually the first and the last members of the United Nations family that a local population meet during any intervention or response to a crisis. So to succeed in their mission, across the duration of their deployment officers need to establish a relationship with the population, one founded on trust. That trust is more readily formed if United Nations police officers reflect the diversity of the world that they are sent to protect. Allow me to close by joining my voice to that of Under-Secretary-General Lacroix in expressing my support for police-contributing countries that are addressing the obstacles preventing more women from entering United Nations police. I also wish to encourage even greater efforts within United Nations police components to consult with communities, including women, and ensure that their views and needs are fully part of their day-to-day work and their reporting to the Council.

China thanks Italy for convening this meeting. We also thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and the Police Commissioners of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti and African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur for their briefings. Today, more than 11,000 United Nations police officers are deployed in 11 peacekeeping operations and four special political missions. They perform their duties with devotion in trying and complex situations, and China pays tribute to their spirit of dedication and sacrifice. The international situation is currently undergoing profound changes; conflicts and disputes are becoming more diverse. The context for United Nations peacekeeping operations and the tasks they set out to achieve are increasingly complex, and United Nations peacekeeping police mandates have been on the rise. The international community should consider in depth the circumstances facing peacekeeping police, their mandates and the way forward, and explore ways they can improve their work. China would like to make the following observations. First, the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the basic principles of peacekeeping  — the consent of the host countries, impartiality and the non-use of force except in self- defence or in fulfilment of the mandate — must be observed. These three peacekeeping principles are the cornerstone of peacekeeping operations and provide an important guarantee for the effectiveness of United Nations policing. It is important to fully respect the sovereignty of host countries, listen to their views and communicate better with them regarding the duration of deployments, the adjustment of mandates and other such issues. If, as a result of changing circumstances, the host country demands the exit of United Nations police, the Secretariat should develop a clear exit timetable under the political guidance of the Security Council. Secondly, the mandates of police deployed in peacekeeping operations must be unambiguous, feasible tailored to the context and focused. Mandates are the basis of and guidance for the work of missions and the very foundation of effective peacekeeping operations. Each mission faces different situations and tasks. When designing policing mandates, the situation on the ground, the priority needs of the host countries and the capacity of the police-contributing countries, among other factors, should be considered in an integrated manner. Their mandates should be unequivocal, targeted, highly actionable and subject to timely assessment in the light of dynamic changes, so that their priorities and focus may be constantly adjusted to serve the central objective of the peacekeeping operation concerned. Host countries have the primary responsibility to protect civilians, and the task of peacekeeping police is to assist them in capacity- building and under the leadership of the host countries. Thirdly, the Secretariat should provide higher quality and more efficient support and guarantees to the peacekeeping police in performing their duties. The Secretariat should take fully into account new contexts and situations encountered by the police in order to make peacekeeping more effective and resilient in the face of complexities, particularly by boosting coordinated actions between the police, civilian and military components of missions. It is important to highlight the safety and security of peacekeeping employees. Strengthened coordination with police-contributing countries (PCCs) and host countries improves early warning capabilities and the internal sharing of information so as to raise the level of safety and security across the board. Fourthly, we must attach greater importance to the role of PCCs. Troop-contributing countries (TCCs) and PCCs are the main players undertaking peacekeeping operations. It is imperative to improve communication between the Security Council, the Secretariat and TCCs and PCCs, fullyleverage the role of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, and enable TCCs and PCCs to have a greater voice. Adequate attention should be given to the needs of developing countries as PCCs, and they should be encouraged to boost their capacity through bilateral and multilateral cooperation. China is the largest PCC among the permanent members of the Security Council. Chinese peacekeeping police officers have earned many accolades from various parties thanks to their diligence and excellence. China began sending police officers to United Nations peacekeeping operations in 2000; since then, we have sent some 26,000 police officers to missions in Timor- Leste, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Haiti and elsewhere. At present, more than 150 Chinese police officers are serving missions in South Sudan, Cyprus and Afghanistan. China is now in the process of fully implementing the commitments made by the Chinese leader at the 2015 Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping to further support United Nations peacekeeping operations, including by taking the lead in the creation of a standby formed police unit and training peacekeeping police officers for other countries. Two of China’s standby peacekeeping police units are already formally registered with the United Nations peacekeeping standby mechanism, parts of which are already at the rapid-deployment level. China stands ready to work with the international community and make its positive contribution to the development of United Nations peacekeeping policing and the maintenance of international peace and security.

Bolivia thanks Under- Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and the Police Commissioners of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur for their briefings. In most cases, the term “United Nations peacekeeping forces” is synonymous with military troops. Nevertheless, police components also play a key role in the maintenance of security at three levels in particular: protection through dialogue and commitment, protection against physical violence and protection through the creation of a secure environment. The roles of the United Nations police in the areas of protection through dialogue and commitment and protection through the creation of a secure environment are well-established in practice and involve advice, building the capacities of and strengthening the local police, and access to justice and Government institutions. However, there is still a lack of clarity regarding the role of the United Nations police with respect to the physical protection of civilians. The United Nations defines police work as a support function of Government, responsible for the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes, the protection of persons and property, and the maintenance of public order and security. In this sense, exactly one year ago we received the report of the Secretary- General on United Nations policing (S/2016/952) containing 14 recommendations on police work. Within the framework of resolution 2185 (2014), it is clear that police forces for international peace and security are of increasing importance. The Secretary-General’s approach allows us to identify different priorities and measures to strengthen the work of police contingents deployed to the various peacekeeping missions in order to create a coherent and adaptable system that is capable of dealing with emerging conflict and post-conflict situations, in addition to contributing to planning transition processes and the development of integrated approaches to the rule of law in countries where they carry out their activities. On the other hand, as stated by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in its Guidelines on Police Operations, the United Nations police can engage in a wide range of activities, including, inter alia, advice, reform, restructuring and strengthening of police institutions, training and instruction, assistance in electoral processes, disarmament and demobilization, community-based policing, patrol border management, public information and education. Bolivia believes that the multidimensional nature of missions requires United Nations police officers to cooperate closely in all areas of conflict and at all levels, including through interaction at the local level with military, political, humanitarian and human rights sectors and other civilian components, but above all by working closely with the host State in strict respect of the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. We welcome the Organization’s efforts to ensure that countries contributing police contingents meet the required standards. However, challenges remain in the areas of deployment and capacity-building as well as specific tasks. We are confident that such difficulties can be overcome by improving performance management on the ground for police and civilian components as well as military ones. The best way to manage resources, human, financial or material, is to focus on improving assessment and planning capacities and enhancing the ability to provide timely information, full communication and leadership, thereby effectively strengthening and operationalizing the work of the Police Division and the Strategic Force Generation and Capability Planning Cell of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. In the context of peacebuilding, it is also crucial to ensure that the work of the United Nations police is strengthened in terms of the transition and transfer of full responsibility to host States’ police forces as well as in relation to missions’ exit strategies. In that regard, as a Latin American country, we think it is important to highlight the Haitian National Police’s development plan for 2012 to 2016, which was implemented by the police component of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). This plan focused on improving the capacity and operational readiness of the Haitian National Police in the areas of crime prevention and response and activities related to law enforcement, which not only helped to maintain stability during the 2016 elections, but also made a valuable contribution to the process of closing MINUSTAH and transitioning it to MINUJUSTH. We must strengthen our efforts to incorporate a gender perspective into the United Nations police, thereby affirming, ensuring and encouraging women’s equitable participation both in peacekeeping operations, in accordance with resolution 2242 (2015), and in peace processes, by playing an active role in prevention, mediation and dialogue, with the aim of arriving at solutions that reflect equality and contribute to post-conflict reconstruction. In that regard, I would like to ask the Commissioners what efforts and actions are being undertaken to improve women’s participation in force components, in particular MINUJUSTH, which consists only of a police component. We also reaffirm our full support to the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual abuse by members of peacekeeping missions. In conclusion, Bolivia reaffirms its support for and commitment to peace operations and would like to thank United Nations staff and the personnel from the troop- and police-contributing countries for their work, men and women who risk their lives every day to build lasting and sustainable peace in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening today’s meeting on police issues in United Nations peacekeeping operations and special political missions. We are grateful to Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and the Police Commissioners of the United Nations missions in Mali, Haiti and Darfur, for their helpful briefings. We take this opportunity to once again express our gratitude to all United Nations police peacekeepers for their selfless efforts. The work of the United Nations police in our current peacekeeping initiatives is extremely important. They deal with tremendous challenges and have to work in increasingly difficult conditions. Besides helping to ensure public order, they also support national Governments in their efforts to protect civilians and play an important auxiliary role in post-conflict reform of law-enforcement institutions and national capacity- building for host States. We believe that because they are providing that assistance on behalf of the entire international community, the police, like peacekeepers, are obliged to comply scrupulously with Security Council mandates, the Charter of the United Nations and the core principles of peacekeeping. A key part of effective mandate fulfilment is the establishment of constructive, trusting relations with the host State that take its priorities into account. It is the principle of national ownership that guarantees success. One can hardly call it effective international support if a mission’s protracted presence ultimately results merely in substituting the efforts of United Nations police for those of the local force. In providing assistance to States it is equally critical to take national specifics into consideration. Attempts to apply a universal approach to reforming an area as important and sensitive as a society’s law-enforcement structures inevitably ends in the proposed solutions being rejected. In order to help peacekeepers deal effectively with the challenges they face, especially when additional factors complicate conflicts further, they must get the technical and staffing support they need. The Russian Federation, as a police-contributing country, has continued to expand its contribution to United Nations peacekeeping activities and to deploy personnel with relevant skills. Since 1992, more than 500 officers from branches of Russia’s Ministry of the Interior have become United Nations police officers. Since the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit in June 2016, the number of Russian United Nations police officers has increased by more than 50 per cent. They are currently engaged in operations in South Sudan, Kosovo, Haiti and Cyprus, and 20 per cent of them are women. Women’s participation in policing in Russia itself is also growing steadily. Russia has also been striving to do its bit to improve the effectiveness of police peacekeepers’ work, including that of non-Russian police. Since 2000, the United Nations-certified peacekeeping training centre of the Interior Ministry’s All-Russian Institute for Advanced Training in Domodedovo, near Moscow, has trained more than 350 foreign police peacekeepers, including commanders from more than 50 countries. Russia has unique experience in vocational training for peacekeepers and we are ready to share it. Russia supported the Council’s adoption today of resolution 2382 (2017). However, we have to point out that the work on the draft resolution was extremely difficult. The Security Council took great pains to ensure that the document did not politicize the work of the United Nations police and that it focused on concrete issues, based on the premise that every element of the United Nations system is responsible for a clearly defined area of issues. We believe it is unacceptable to put a subjective interpretation on the norms of international humanitarian law, particularly where the protection of civilians is concerned. Under no circumstances should peacekeepers, including police, become a party to a conflict or take any side, and they should certainly not be put in a position of using force against a host State. The police unquestionably play an important role in United Nations efforts to prevent relapses into conflict within the framework of their mandates in each individual mission, but it is difficult to conceive what their potential contribution could be to the Secretary- General’s prevention and mediation efforts before conflicts break out and missions are deployed. We support the importance of ensuring an ongoing dialogue between the Security Council and troop-contributing countries on every aspect of peacekeeping operations, including mandate planning and formulation. We believe firmly that discussions on the most difficult issues, particularly police organizational issues, should be transparent, and that the most suitable platforms for them are the existing Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations and the General Assembly’s Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, on the latter of which all troop-contributing countries are represented. No external reviews can supplant intergovernmental discussions of police issues. In that context, we welcome the forthcoming briefing by heads of police components to be held in the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations.

I would first like to thank Italy for organizing this meeting on the role of the police in peacekeeping operations, which has enabled us to adopt resolution 2382 (2017), the second Security Council resolution pertaining to the police, three years after resolution 2185 (2014). I would also like to thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and the heads of the police components here for their briefings today. I would like to pay tribute to the approximately 11,500 men and women who are currently deployed as police officers in peacekeeping operations. Whether they are from civilian or military national security forces, they carry out their mandates in what are sometimes extremely difficult security conditions as they labour to ensure that peace is maintained and civilians are protected. Today peacekeeping operations are deployed in increasingly complex, varied and evolving circumstances, and police components are a major asset in our response to them, as the resolution we have just adopted emphasizes. In that regard, I would like to discuss three priorities. First, police forces should continue to play a central role in the protection of civilian populations, and the success of that depends on close contact between the police deployed to operations and the people at risk. Civilians, especially the most vulnerable among them such as women and children, must be able to rely on our police and gendarmes to protect them from human rights abuses and violence and ensure that those accused of such crimes are brought to justice and held accountable for their actions. In the event of imminent violence, it is the job of the United Nations police to provide affected populations with the protection they need. Besides that, it is through their commitment to communities and the quality of their contact with the people and local authorities that these United Nations gendarmes and police officers build the trust that is essential for effective protection, as has been the case in Mali with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). For police components to carry out these duties effectively, it is vital to ensure that they are working in full coordination with their peace operation’s other components, especially the military and human rights divisions. Their ability to respond together depends on their ability to plan, analyse and act together. That brings me to my second point, which is that the police component plays a fundamental role in establishing lasting peace. Establishing and training domestic security forces that respect human rights, ensure equal treatment for all and serve the people are preconditions for long-term stability. The police components of United Nations missions contribute to that through support and training, in accordance with the rule of law and United Nations due-diligence human rights policies. That effort can be seen in the Central African Republic with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, whose formed police units are helping to protect civilian populations in Bangui and beyond and to build the national internal security forces’ capacity and strengthen Government authority. The success of that commitment depends on identifying the needs of the host State in detail and on appropriate planning, enabling an effective police response. In the transitional situation in Haiti, the Council has recognized the significant added value of using police for restoring peace with its establishment of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti. Thirdly, for police components to be able to help to resolve conflicts, they must be fully adapted to the needs of peacekeeping operations, a task that presents several challenges. The first requirement is their capacity for force generation. To be effective, a police force must be large enough, as well as well equipped and well trained. The ability to deploy an adequate police component quickly remains a major challenge, and we must all work together to respond to it. The second challenge is police-force composition. We support efforts to deploy more women to the police components of peacekeeping operations. Women are a guarantee of the link between the United Nations police in missions and highly fragile populations. They are at the forefront in combating and preventing sexual violence. They are an example for the future and a model for the people we protect. We also support efforts in the area of language. The capacity to maintain ties to the host population depends on an ability to establish and deepen a relationship of trust and mutual respect over time and with the support of local authorities. France does that by training deployed police and gendarmes in French. The third issue, which seems central today, is that of technical competence. In order to deal with the many types of crime they encounter on the ground, investigations aimed at fighting impunity require complex police techniques. Because of that, mission police components must have the specialized technical knowledge needed to combat sexual violence or transnational organized crime, for example. France is firmly committed to that approach. For instance, the European Gendarmerie Force will shortly deploy a team within MINUSMA to combat organized crime and terrorism composed of Italian carabinieri, staff of Spain’s Guardia Civil, Portugal’s Republican National Guard and soldiers of the French National Gendarmerie. The next meeting of police and gendarmerie heads, to be held in the spring of 2018, will be an opportunity for reflection on the role of the police within the United Nations. It should help us examine our doctrinal and technical choices, while offering an analysis of the future of police components. In that regard, I would like to hear the views of our briefers on the role of police personnel in building lasting peace. In other contexts they have all promoted the concept of sustainable peace through the prevention of violence, the restoration of host-country policing capabilities and national reconciliation. Can they tell us what they have learned from their experience? It would be particularly helpful to get a better understanding of the constraints they have encountered and the imperatives they have had to take into account in carrying out their actions. I thank them in advance for that.

Senegal would like to thank the Italian delegation for taking the initiative to hold today’s important meeting, giving us the opportunity to exchange views directly with the commanders of the police components of peacekeeping operations. We are also grateful to Under-Secretary- General Lacroix and the heads of the police components of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur for their informative briefings. Senegal would especially like to thank the commanders and their troops and to express its gratitude for their outstanding performance in complex and challenging environments. Today, the importance of the growing role of the police in peace operations is well established. Their place and role have undergone many changes since 1960. While traditionally they was used for monitoring, observing and producing reports, today they have become key players in multidimensional peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions. An example of that is their work in protecting civilians in situations of internal insecurity such as that of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. The United Nations police also play a central role in building the capacities of host countries’ security forces. For example, formed police units and individual police officers have jointly responded to many needs in Haiti. In order to take on full responsibility for those changes in its functions, police components have had to adapt their structure and organization and revise their employment processes and doctrines again and again, and numerous Security Council resolutions and assessments have been introduced and implemented in order to increase their operational capacity and role in supporting countries in crisis. It is against that backdrop that a complete review of the structure, functions and capacity of the Police Division was conducted, in line with the report of the High-level level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (HIPPO) (see S/2015/446). It must be underscored that, despite those commendable efforts, much remains to be done to overcome the challenges with which we are all familiar — as listed in the HIPPO report and highlighted by the Security Council in resolution 2185 (2014). Resolution 2382 (2017), which we adopted today at the initiative of the Italian delegation, is part and parcel of the efforts to address the current challenges faced by the Police Division of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. To ensure that our meeting is interactive, as requested by you, Mr. President, I would like to ask a few questions. My first question will be directed to all the Police Commissioners who spoke at today’s briefing. With regard to capacity-building for host-country security forces, we know that communications play a key role. Quite often, however, police training officers do not speak the official language of the host countries. What measures are Police Commissioners taking to address that challenge? I also have a question for the MINUSMA Police Commissioner. Undoubtedly, the environment in which the Mission operates requires reliable equipment and well-trained personnel. What are the main challenges for police units in combating and preventing crime in those countries? With regard to MINUJUSTH, the evaluation report of the formed police units notes that the Division for Policy, Evaluation and Training has issued reservations about the operational capacity of formed police units made up entirely of women. What are the strengths and weaknesses of such units? As the evaluation team has recommended, would it not make more sense to have mixed-gender formed police units, given that almost all troop- and police-contributing countries have mixed- gender units at home? While not a question, I would like to comment on the briefing by Ms. Makotose, whom I thank for her valuable contribution to today’s meeting. I take this opportunity to announce that, as the leading police-contributing country, with seven units in five peacekeeping operations, Senegal intends to provide the United Nations with 26 additional female police officers. Those officers have already passed tests that were held in Dakar in August under the All-Female Selection Assistance and Assessment Team Training programme, which was financed by the Government of the United States. That effort provides some insight into the importance that Senegal attaches to strengthening the role of women in peacekeeping operations, and in police activities in particular.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Italy. At the outset, I would like to thank all delegations for their constructive collaboration in adopting resolution 2382 (2017) today. I am also very grateful to Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and to the Police Commissioners of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for their briefings. They confirmed the central role that police units currently play in peace operations throughout the world. As described by Police Commissioner Yacouba, United Nations police components in Mali assist the Malian authorities in the fight against transnational organized crime, including illegal trafficking in weapons and in persons. Such activities are very often connected to terrorist organizations, providing them with several sources of financing. The support United Nations police can provide to local authorities in the fight against those criminal networks and in the disruption of trafficking networks is crucial for reducing a major source of instability in the Sahel and in the entire Mediterranean region. As Police Commissioner Monchotte explained, the police component in Haiti is now at the core of the peacekeeping Mission, strengthening the rule of law by mentoring local police. The Mission in Haiti can be an example of how United Nations police capacity- development efforts can assist in preventing a relapse into conflict, and leave behind an enduring legacy of sustainable peace. It is an important test case and a possible future model for the successful transition and eventual exit of peacekeeping operations. I would also like to thank Police Commissioner Makotose for her meaningful insight into how the operational effectiveness of UNAMID was strengthened by making the activities of the United Nations police components more gender-sensitive. That is an important step forward. Today’s briefing confirmed that the United Nations police contribution is the key to achieving our common objective of smarter and more cost-effective peace operations that are able to bring about sustainable and long-lasting peace. That, by the way, is our common goal in support of reforming the United Nations system as envisaged by the Secretary-General. We believe it is therefore necessary to strengthen United Nations police. In that regard, I would like to recall the critical role of the United Nations Standing Police Capacity, located at the Global Service Centre in Brindisi, in providing peace operations with readily available police expertise. I would like to suggest four brief points for further consideration. First, we must recognize the contribution of the United Nations police in preventing conflict and sustaining peace, and, consequently, in including policing as an integral part of the mandates of peace operations. That would support the focus on prevention. Secondly, we should strengthen the role of United Nations police in protecting civilians and preventing and addressing sexual and gender conflict-related violence and violations and abuses against children, including by providing assistance and support to local authorities. In that regard, predeployment training for Blue Helmets is key to providing the necessary assistance and to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. Thirdly, we should provide guidance on what is required to improve accountability, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness in the performance of United Nations police, by defining clear standards for the provision of personnel, equipment and assistance to host-State police. In that regard, the role of police-contributing countries is of paramount importance. We must enhance triangular consultation and cooperation between police-contributing countries and the Secretariat. Fourthly, we completely share the view that an increased number of women in police forces will improve the performance of United Nations police units. I encourage Member States to do more to contribute to that objective, starting with recruiting a greater number of women at the national level. Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the women and men serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions, and in particular those who have lost their lives over the years. We must spare no effort to improve the safety and security of our Blue Helmets by providing them with the necessary equipment and technology that can save their lives. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. Since there were several questions for the Police Commissioners and Under-Secretary-General Lacroix, I would like to turn the floor over them to respond to the questions posed and to make other remarks. I now give the floor to Mr. Lacroix. Mr. Lacroix: I would again like to thank you, Sir, the Italian presidency of the Security Council and all members of the Council for holding today’s debate, as well as for adopting resolution 2382 (2017). It is a clear signal of the Security Council’s interest in United Nations police activities in the area of peacekeeping. I will be very brief so as to allow our colleagues from the field to respond to the various questions posed to them. I think that today’s debate has highlighted the increasingly vital role of police in peacekeeping — both in providing security and complementing the military component, as well as in contributing to the protection of civilians, in partnership with other components in our operations — but also the vital contribution of our police colleagues in strengthening local capacity in the crucial area of rule-of-law institutions. Obviously, the strengthening of the rule of law and institutions is a precondition for restoring lasting peace and providing our peacekeeping operation with the possibility to exit. The question asked by the representative of Sweden was related to how the police dimension might be further integrated within mandates conferred on us by the Security Council. I believe that the rationale behind the representative’s question also involves how those police activities could be increasingly and better supported by the Security Council. I would like to highlight the importance of the continuous interest of the Security Council in the United Nations police. As I said, that interest has been demonstrated today by this meeting and the adoption of resolution 2382 (2017), but we are keen on having further interaction with the Council. Moreover, we look forward to the Council’s consideration and discussion of the reports that we will provide, specifically the report to be submitted pursuant to resolution 2382 (2017), on a different set of very important issues. I would also like to say that the challenges associated with and the need to improve United Nations police peacekeeping are in many ways similar and, indeed, complementary to the challenges and the demands of other components. We look forward to the Security Council’s feedback on how we perform not only in responding to those challenges, but in further integrating the activities of various components, while ensuring adequate cooperation in the field. A number of past reports of the Secretary-General have already addressed the issue of police components. I believe that we should look to the Council to provide us not only with consistent monitoring of and support for our efforts, but also with encouragement to Member States to support those efforts in crucial areas, such as scaling up performance, increasing and improving training and capacities, particularly as our police component is dealing with activities and issues that require very technical and specific capacities. Some of those were addressed and mentioned earlier during this meeting, including working to increase the integration of police component activities with other components; partnering with other institutions and organizations, such as regional and subregional organizations, as well as the European Union; and cooperating with police-contributing countries not only to increase the percentage of women in our police contingent, but also to better address the role of women in peacekeeping processes in our operations. The language issue was mentioned by some representatives; it is a crucial issue, particularly with regard to policing, because the United Nations police is all about interacting with the population. I would like to add that that it is equally important that our expectations vis-à-vis the Security Council are met in terms of mandates being adequately provided with the required resources to ensure that we can fulfil the missions conferred upon us by the Security Council, including policing, as well as the other activities. I believe that it is also important to encourage States Members to support our work in policing, not only by entering into partnerships with police-contributing countries with a view to helping them improve their capacities, but also by encouraging them to continue and possibly increase their support to programmatic funding for capacity-building. As members of the Council are aware, our police activities also depend on that type of programmatic funding, which is very important with regard to our work in developing several key policies, several of which were mentioned today. In conclusion, I would like to say that today’s briefing is particularly timely for many reasons, one of which is that it provides us with the opportunity to welcome Police Commissioner Luis Carrilho. I would like to say before the Council that we are delighted to see him join the peacekeeping family, but I would also like to pay tribute and very warmly thank Commissioner Stefan Feller for the his outstanding work at the head of the Police Division.

I now give the floor to Mr. Yacouba.

I believe that Mr. Lacroix has addressed the crux of the questions. I will therefore answer some of the more specific questions. The first question concerns the attacks and the issue of explosive devices confronting the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). It is an issue of major concern to the countries of MINUSMA and host countries, as well as for Headquarters in New York. We have held several video-teleconferences to address the issue, and a working group was established to reflect on how to avoid the damage and loss. In that regard, the first issue concerns training, including predeployment training whereby all formed units — whether formed police or military units — are provided with information regarding asymmetric attacks, especially those involving explosive devices and mines. Above all, they must undergo complementary training under the auspices of United Nations Mine Action Service. The importance of such training has been witnessed on the ground, where, despite the high number of incidents that have been reported, many deaths have been avoided simply because people have followed the proper protocol. Even now, in cases where accidents have often occurred, the latter have been attributed to a failure to follow protocol according to instruction. There is therefore a problem concerning command, which has been identified, and I believe that corrective measures have been implemented at the force and police component levels. There is also the issue of passive protection measures. I am speaking of attacks on camps and convoys. Equipment has been scaled up, but unfortunately some units lack the equipment especially designed for such attacks. We have seen armoured vehicles equipped with armour that fails to protect them against mines. Headquarters has drawn the attention of contributing countries to the problem on the ground so that measures can be taken to address those issues. We are therefore not only focusing on raising awareness, but also on the intelligence dimension. The latter entails conducting an investigation whenever there is an incident involving an explosion. In each police unit, we have an investigative branch that takes over the necessary tasks after an explosion. MINUSMA carries out an internal investigation, and the Malian authorities carry out their own. Regardless of whether the attacks target MINUSMA or Malian personnel, according to our mutual agreement, we exchange information. Accordingly, we have established a criminal database, so that we can trace explosive devices and try to identify who laid them and where they came from. With broader cooperation in the subregion and with enhanced inter-service cooperation, we hope that we will be able to trace them to their source and cut the supply line. That is, in essence, one of the first problems. The second aspect is the lack of trust between the population and the security defence forces. That is indeed a major obstacle, because if that is absent, then the police, the gendarmerie and the national guard — who are supposed to protect the population — do not in fact enjoy its trust. That leads to an underlying problem that can be addressed only through security sector reform in order to foster trust between the security forces and the people. And to do that, the Malian forces must comprise the entire range of national viewpoints. Additionally, the forces must be accountable before the law. We must do away with impunity, corruption and other aspects that the people find contemptible within the security and defence forces. They are fully aware that we have, with their assent, created a programme of local policing that seeks to make sure that the local population is kept at the core. Therefore, security cannot carried out against the population; rather, the people themselves contribute to their own security and to the implementation of development projects. We explain to them that this is about a virtuous circle. We carry out awareness-raising campaigns to explain our mandate to the population. We explain our role and mandate to the people, as well as the need to work with the Malian forces. They will generally share their concerns and, I believe, the Government has agreed to participate in this local policing approach. On 4 October, at the national police level, at the fifty-seventh anniversary of the creation of the police, in front of the entire Government and Parliament, the Government committed itself to the local policing approach. What will it accomplish? The population is now suffering from the lack of trust in the Malian security forces, as it is the extremisst that impose their law and way of life. But with the joining of the two structures, they will be able to act against the negative elements — the extremists. On the question of the vision for the future, I think that Mr. Lacroix has answered it. I wanted to add that it should include a republican police force that is accountable before the law. With regard to the third question, the aspect of communication has been addressed. I only wanted to add that, at the level of formed police units, there are units that patrol and escort humanitarian workers but do not speak the local languages. Through the recruitment of local interpreters, the staff of the formed police units — if, for example, they speak Arabic — must learn a local language as well in order to be able to better interact with the local population. In any given community, an English or French speaker will have to learn the local language to interact with the people and gain their trust. Another key aspect when it comes to communication is ensuring that people understand our mission. When they do not, they are reluctant to engage with us. We regularly carry out awareness-raising campaigns to explain our mandates. I would say that in Gao, for example, we have been fairly successful in that regard. At a certain point, we even had people in Gao who wanted to take the law into their own hands and set up prisons. Once they understood our role, with the support of all stakeholders — the entire community, including women and elders — they themselves abandoned the actions they intended to take. They understood the relevance of our role.

I now give the floor to Commissioner Monchotte.

The new approach we have set up is of course aligned with view towards an exit strategy, as the mandate of resolution 2350 (2107) gives us a time limit. By targeting high-level leadership, there was an attempt to force ownership and to announce a departure. Additionally, the new approach should be understood in the context of the European Gendarmerie Force, which is perfectly integrated. Moreover, coordination and integration is generally carried out through the programme budget of the global focal point for justice, human rights and correctional justice. It is an extremely positive aspect that enables us to contribute in a very pragmatic way to the development of the Haitian National Police. With respect to the challenges I see for the future, I can anticipate two specific challenges for the Haitian National Police. First of all, there is the non-politicization of the police, as that would be extremely damaging for the general atmosphere in the country and its stability, which would be called into question. The second challenge is the budgetary interest of the Government in the police by availing it of the means to act and by honouring the commitments adopted on 5 July by the Prime Minister in his capacity as President of the Superior Council of the National Police, when he validated the 2017-2021 strategic development plan that we prepared jointly, in which Haiti must contribute at least 45 per cent to the overall five-year budget. Other challenges that I see for us are ensuring the best experts so as to ensure that skills transfer and capacity-building occur in the best possible conditions. To that end, we must have the necessary equipment — be they vehicles, infrastructure or infrastructure adjustments — for the working conditions of our international police, above all a helicopter unit to carry out our joint operations with the police. Our mandate requires that we provide operational support to the Haitian National Police in the territorial planning of the country. That element is crucial. As for sustainable peace, beyond the purely economic aspects of political stability in the technical and police arena, it is absolutely clear that the police must address the population equitably, respect human rights and use force with care. These are fundamental prerequisites. That is why we participate in and support operations as part of the mandate. Human rights training for law enforcement units is a critical part of technical support. I would also like to underscore the role of the General Inspectorate, which we support with experts alongside its senior management. That was implemented under the mandate for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) with approximately 15 United Nations police deployed in the Inspectorate. The Inspectorate must carry out investigations of allegations of improper conduct or the use of excessive force, whether in police or peacekeeping operations. The General Inspectorate considers approximately 600 cases annually. With respect to the transition — a question was asked in this respect by the representative of Sweden — what enabled it to take place in a smooth and harmonious manner was a vision that I would say was crafted in late 2016. We began to plan well in advance, so that in February 2017, when the strategic evaluation mission arrived along with Mr. Ladsous, we were able to make proposals relating to the post-MINUSTAH period and to outline our support and advice programme. This planning and preparation for the future took place in close cooperation with the local police, without whom none of this would have been possible. The work was thus carried out in a harmonious manner with a partner that is fully accepting of this new landscape. What further contributed to the stabilization of MINUSTAH, as I observed based on my own experience, was above all the fact that there was support for the electoral process to be fully carried through. The police component played an important role by deploying more than 85 per cent of its force during the two rounds of the presidential elections. This was also done jointly with the Haitian National Police, which was absolutely critical. In the presence of the highest authorities of the State, we signed a joint security plan that enabled the Haitian National Police to make clear progress in terms of operational planning and to generate a coherent and realistic operational framework at the national level. This was a first for the Haitian National Police. Turning to the promotion of gender equality in the police component, first we created a listing of posts in the framework of our new approach so that contributing countries could see what posts needed to be filled, with priority given to female personnel. At my headquarters, I have two gender equality adviser posts reserved for women. We are currently a very small structure, with the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti. I have also maintained a women’s network, and I would stress here that advisers to this network have a counterparts in the Haitian National Police, which provided an excellent example of how to promote gender equality within a police force. We are continuing these efforts every day. With respect to the police division and human resources, arrangements were made that included the authorization to reduce the duration of the mandate and deployment for women, so as to facilitate their joining the Mission. Turning to communications, at the request of our partner the Haitian National Police, we have stressed linguistic issues, which are very important. Indeed, the proper transfer of skills and capacity-building is best carried out in a context of affectio societatis, that is to say, a trust-based relationship between mentor and mentee, which works best when a common language is used, in this case French or Creole. This is noted in the profiles that have been set up, so that contributing countries, in addition to providing female personnel, can ensure that such personnel are French- or Creole-speaking. When candidates are put forward, we conduct interviews and make our selection with a view to securing French-speaking experts. In conclusion, with respect to joint law-enforcement units, I can attest to the fact that I have benefited from this undertaking and would be fully in favour if it were to continue.

I thank Mr. Monchotte for his briefing. (spoke in English) I now give the floor to Ms. Makotose. Ms. Makotose: I thank the Council for having recognized the important work of the police in peacekeeping and would like also to acknowledge the Council’s important role in promoting peace and our work. Its words of encouragement today and the understanding and guidance shown are well received, and we will be using them to inform and guide our operations. To the question that was posed by the representative of Egypt, on the improvement of the security situation in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), I wish to acknowledge that there has indeed been an improvement, especially in conflict- related clashes, but my concern as Police Commissioner is the fact that most internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain in the camps, and their major concern when we talk to them is the issue of security. This speaks to the issue of trust between the IDPs and the security institutions; they remain in the camps because they feel a little bit insecure. We feel that we still have a role in building this trust, and we hope that as we continue to implement our mandate, this trust will be built. Nonetheless, we have been undertaking a number of strategies to ensure that in the event of our exit there is sustainability and the rule of law. Chief among this is that we started engaging in train-the-trainer programmes under the capacity-building mandate. We also have received a very interesting and exciting request from the Sudan Police Force to help it develop its standing operating procedures, its code of conduct and a number of other institutional frameworks. We believe that these are important to ensure sustainability upon the exit of UNAMID. We are also actively involved in community policing, and we have a very vibrant community- policing volunteers programme as well as very vibrant community-safety committees, which discuss crime and how to overcome some of the criminal challenges that the people face. We are also working with the United Nations country team and mainly with the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and UN-Women to build capacity for the continued monitoring of the performance of the Sudan Police Force once UNAMID has exited from Darfur. We are also happy to have seen the spread of the Sudan Police Force into almost all of the team sites that are operational, and we are pleased that that Force is now in existence in most of these areas, with the exception of about three. We are still working to get them into those areas. We would like the support of the Council for the joint programme on the rule of law and human rights, which is aimed at overseeing the resourcing and implementation of a sustainable criminal-justice system. It has been hit by a lack of funding, but we believe that this is the programme that is going to drive sustainability and the capacitation of both of the Sudan Police Force in Darfur and, indeed, all other criminal-justice institutions. In response to the question from the representative of Bolivia, on the greater participation of women, I highlighted some of the relevant issues, but let me just touch on a few more. We are advocating for the recruitment, training and deployment of the Sudan Police Force in the deep field. It is a bit challenging, because it is really still at a very low point. We are hoping that our continuous engagement will certainly bring us some way towards our goal. We have developed a concept note to the effect that we are also seeking funding so as to recruit more women, train them and then deploy them in the deep field. We have established a women’s network in the Sudan Police Force as a vehicle for women to participate in their empowerment. We insist that female members of the Sudan police force participate in all our meetings. As we continue to enhance the presence of female peacekeepers deep in the field, we are still remodelling. I hope that the Sudan police force will also take note and copy what we are doing. I have also already had a chance to engage with Walis and governors, and they are beginning to accept the concept of recruiting more female police officers. There was also a question from the representative of France on the lessons learned from our experiences. I would say that the situations in the conflict and post-conflict areas that we operate in are hard and desperate. The peace process, in my experience, has been very slow, and sometimes it is very frustrating. A lot of commitment and consistency is required to achieve stability and peace; continuous engagement with hosts, the internally displaced persons population and community leadership builds the necessary relationships that then contribute to the success of our work. We also feel that partnerships and collaboration among the missions, the United Nations country team and police-contributing countries are extremely critical for us to achieve our mandates. With relation to the question from the representative of Senegal on the issue of language  — yes, it is a real challenge. However, we have Arabic speakers and language assistants in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. Therefore, because we take note on how we carry out deployments to ensure that there is equal geographical representation, they have come in very handy in helping us deliver our messages. Our Integrated Mission Training Centre also provides courses that help us to learn a bit of Arabic, and we have taken the initiative to hold English enhancement lessons with both the Sudan police force and internally displaced persons. That has also helped us to build relationships and improve communication with both communities. Those are the questions that I am able to answer. I very much thank the Council for this opportunity.

I thank Police Commissioner Makatose for the clarifications she has provided. On behalf of the Council, I would like once again to thank all the briefersfor their very interesting perspectives and insights.