India co-chaired a high-level meeting of Group of Friends (GoF) to Promote Accountability for Crimes Against Peacekeepers at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, alongside representatives from approx. 40 UN member states, senior UN officials, and field experts.
Key Highlights
- The meeting reaffirmed the Group of Friends’ strong commitment to justice for UN peacekeepers and ending impunity for crimes committed against them.
- Discussions emphasized that continued impunity directly contributes to repeated attacks on peacekeepers in volatile conflict zones.
- Deliberations focused on a comprehensive strategy combining:
- Legal accountability
- Preventative action
- Operational support
- Political commitment by stakeholders
Key Outcomes of Meeting
- Deepening Accountability Mechanisms
- Reinforcing Legal Frameworks
- Capacity Building & Technical Assistance
- Leveraging Technology for Justice
- Preventative Measures & Strategic Deterrence
Definition & Strategic Importance of Accountability
- Accountability was described as “not just a matter of justice but a strategic necessity” for:
- Enhancing credibility and effectiveness of UN Peace Operations
- Ensuring safety of peacekeeping personnel
- Deterring future attacks
Why Accountability is Urgent?
- Since 1948, over 1,000 UN peacekeepers have been killed in malicious attacks; hundreds more have been injured.
- Most perpetrators go unpunished, which weakens global peace efforts and emboldens attackers.
About Group of Friends (GoF) for Accountability of Crimes Against Peacekeepers:
- Launched: December 2022
- Initiated During: India’s Presidency of the UN Security Council
- Based on: UNSC Resolution 2589 (2021)
- Mandate:
- Enhance legal and institutional mechanisms
- Promote investigations and prosecutions
- Ensure justice for peacekeepers and their families
- Prevent future attacks on peacekeeping personnel
India’s Legacy in UN Peacekeeping
- India is the largest cumulative troop-contributing nation to UN peacekeeping missions.
- Over 300,000 Indian peacekeepers have served in major UN operations.
- 182 Indian personnel have lost their lives in UN peacekeeping missions — the highest for any country.
Key Facts
- India is one of the largest troop contributors to UN Peacekeeping missions.
- International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed on 29th May every year.
- The UN’s first peacekeeping mission was established in 1948 (UNTSO in Palestine).