The Security Council adopts a landmark resolution to strengthening international accountability and justice for crimes against personnel of UN peacekeeping missions.
In an international environment of heightened geopolitical tensions and multiple active peacekeeping missions, the issue of security of United Nations personnel is once again forcefully taking center stage in global diplomacy, as the Security Council moves to institutionally enshrine accountability for crimes committed against blue helmets, in an effort to strengthen the legal and operational framework for investigating and punishing such attacks in an effort to prevent the impunity that for decades has accompanied the UN’s most dangerous missions in regions conflicts.
Specifically, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on accountability regarding crimes committed against UN peacekeeping operations.
The resolution
The resolution was drafted by Denmark and Pakistan and co-sponsored by 150 member states.
It calls for enhanced efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes against United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping operations and reaffirms that accountability is essential to preventfuture attacks.
According to the UN, since 1948, 1,095 UN peacekeepers have lost their lives as a result of malicious acts, including 359 since 2013.
Since 2020, 103 individuals have been convicted of crimes related to the murder of 35 peacekeepers and two UN experts in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, and Mali.
The Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN stated in a post on X that our country “proudly participated in the unanimous adoption of Security Council Resolution 2823, which strengthens accountability for crimes committed against UN peacekeeping operations.”
“The resolution, drafted by Pakistan and Denmark, was co-sponsored by more than 150 UN member states. We honor the sacrifice of the UN “Blue Helmets” serving around the world. Their courage, dedication, and commitment are a beacon of hope for those in need,” emphasized the Greek Mission.
