Military observers

Since 1990, Swiss officers have been participating as unarmed military observers in UN peace-keeping operations. Currently, 17 Swiss officers with at least captain's rank are engaged, of these 11 are on duty in the Middle East (UNTSO), 3 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), 1 in Burundi (BNUB) and 2 in South Sudan (UNMISS). 

UN military observers – commonly called «blue berets» - serve in small teams and are unarmed. Without exception they are all specially trained officers in the uniform of the State that sent them. They serve as the «eyes and ears» of the UN Security Council in New York. For every engagement, their mission is precisely defined. Their tasks mainly involve monitoring of a cease-fire, implementation of peace agreements, mediation between the parties involved and prevention of dangerous escalation of conflicts.

Please find more information about Swiss military observers here.