As a United States taxpayer, I am deeply disturbed by the recent news of the student protest in Bangladesh where the armed forces used vehicles marked by the United Nations to carry out mass killings. This gross abuse of power radically undermines the very ethos of the UN’s peacekeeping missions, which aim to maintain peace, protect civilians, and facilitate reconciliation and resolution in conflict-driven regions.

Notably, the UN Peacekeeping currently relies on the active participation of troops from 122 countries, making it a global force primarily funded by key nations, notably the United States contributing about 28% of the total operational budget. This level of fiscal responsibility casts an obligation on us, as taxpayers, to ensure our funds are being used for their intended purposes of peace and not directed toward nations which misuse this aid for violent acts against their own citizens.

Recent reports from Human Rights Watch documented the misuse of force during the student protest in Bangladesh, indicating the necessity of international scrutiny and pressure (Human Rights Watch, 2021). By banning the participation of the Bangladesh Army in peacekeeping missions, we send a strong message that the misuse of UN resources for suppressive and violent acts will not go unnoticed or unpunished.

Join us in urging the United Nations to uphold its responsibility of ensuring peace. Do not support violence by banning the Bangladesh Army from its peacekeeping missions. Sign this petition and make a difference for peace in the world.