India Urges Justice for Crimes Against UN Peacekeepers at High-Level UN Meeting

New York : India has once again made a strong appeal for ensuring justice in cases of crimes committed against United Nations Peacekeepers, asserting that accountability is not only a moral necessity but also a strategic imperative. The statement was delivered during a high-level meeting of the Group of Friends (GOF) on Accountability for Crimes Against UN Peacekeepers, held at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Representing India, Ambassador P. Harish, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, emphasized that peacekeepers continue to serve in increasingly dangerous regions, often facing life-threatening challenges. Yet, crimes against them frequently go unpunished, he noted.

"Lack of accountability emboldens perpetrators and seriously undermines international peace efforts," Harish stated.
"Justice for UN personnel is crucial to upholding the integrity and effectiveness of peacekeeping missions."

Highlighting the operational difficulties peacekeepers encounter, Ambassador Harish underscored that delivering justice serves as a key element in boosting their morale and safety. "When justice is served, it directly enhances the security of peacekeepers, enabling them to carry out their vital missions more effectively," he added. He called the protection of peacekeepers and ensuring accountability a shared global responsibility.

The meeting was convened under the initiative of the Group of Friends on Accountability for Crimes Against Peacekeepers, which was established in December 2022 during India's presidency of the UN Security Council. The group aims to address the persistent lack of legal redress and accountability for violence against UN personnel.

Since the inception of UN peacekeeping missions in 1948, more than 1,000 UN personnel have lost their lives due to hostile acts, with hundreds more injured. The rising number of attacks on peacekeepers has triggered international concern and a demand for more robust protection and judicial frameworks.

According to a post shared by India’s Permanent Mission to the UN on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the meeting brought out several outcomes, including:

Strengthening accountability mechanisms

Enhancing legal frameworks in host and troop-contributing countries

Building institutional capacity and providing technical support

Leveraging technology for justice delivery

Developing preventive measures and redressal strategies

India reiterated its unwavering commitment to the cause of UN peacekeeping and stressed that safeguarding peacekeepers is integral to maintaining global peace and security.

As nations deliberate the future of international peacekeeping, India's assertive voice once again positions it as a steadfast advocate for justice, rule of law, and peacekeeper protection on the global stage.