UN honours Norwegian police in Liberia

The UN special envoy to Liberia commended Norwegian police participating in the UN Mission to Liberia. Photo: UNMIL

The Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Ellen Margrethe Løy this week commended the Norwegian Police Contingent in Liberia for its contribution to the peace process. The UN Envoy also urged other police contributing countries to emulate Norway on gender balance.

Ms. Løy spoke during a ceremony in the capital Monrovia to honour the Norwegian UN Police contingent that is taking part in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

Norway has contributed to the UNMIL from the start. Ten Norwegian UN Police officers were among the first peacekeepers to arrive in Monrovia when the Mission was established in 2003.

The UN special envoy commended the Norwegian peacekeepers for the help they have given their Liberian counterparts working in the Women and Children Protection Centres set up by the Liberian National Police. The centres have helped build the public’s trust in the rule of law and laid the foundation for a safe environment for women and children who come into contact with the law.

The Norwegian UN Police Advisers work on a daily basis with their Liberian counterparts, especially on the development of the Liberia National Police strategic plan.

“The advice and assistance you are imparting to the Liberian National Police on a planning level is crucial, and will enable them to take the driver’s seat in the 2011 elections” SRSG Løj remarked.

The ceremony concluded with a special performance by the children of the Calvary Mission Home Orphanage. The Norwegian UN Police contingent has been assisting and supporting the orphanage since 2005.

Read the full press release from the UN Mission in Liberia (pdf).

Source: Norway’s Mission to the U.N.