India Calls For Larger Accountability For Assaults On UN Peacekeepers At Excessive-Degree UN Meet
India has reaffirmed its sturdy dedication to holding perpetrators accountable for crimes in opposition to United Nations peacekeepers, describing accountability as a “strategic necessity” for the success of worldwide peacekeeping efforts.
Talking at a high-level assembly of the Group of Mates (GoF) for selling accountability for crimes in opposition to peacekeepers on the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, India’s Everlasting Consultant to the UN, Ambassador P. Harish, emphasised that the dearth of accountability for such crimes severely undermines worldwide peace efforts by emboldening assailants.
“United Nations peacekeepers face large obstacles whereas working in more and more harmful areas. However for essentially the most half, these crimes proceed to go unpunished. This lack of accountability severely undermines worldwide peace efforts by giving assailants extra confidence,” he stated.
Emphasising the necessity for accountability, he affirmed, “Due to this fact, accountability is a strategic necessity. Along with being required by regulation, making certain accountability for crimes in opposition to UN personnel is crucial to the integrity and efficacy of worldwide peacekeeping efforts.”
“Peacekeepers’ security is instantly improved by justice, permitting them to hold out their important missions. It’s our widespread responsibility to fulfil this obligation,” he added
The Excessive Degree Assembly of the Group of Mates for Accountability of Crimes in opposition to Peacekeepers, co-chaired by India and different main nations, reaffirmed the steadfast dedication of the GoF to making sure justice for many who bravely serve beneath the UN flag.
“It additionally underscored the crucial crucial to fight impunity for assaults in opposition to peacekeepers, emphasising that accountability just isn’t merely a matter of justice for people however a foundation for the effectiveness, credibility, and way forward for UN Peace Operations worldwide,” Everlasting Mission of India to the United Nations, New York stated in a press release.
“In a strong demonstration of concerted worldwide will, senior representatives from round 40 Member States, senior UN officers and consultants, together with from subject missions, deliberated on enhanced methods, operational frameworks, and fostering higher worldwide cooperation to deliver perpetrators of crimes in opposition to peacekeepers to justice,” it added.
The discussions highlighted the escalating threats confronted by peacekeepers in more and more unstable environments and the plain hyperlink between impunity and the continued concentrating on of those front-line protectors.
Additional, the assertion famous that the Group’s deliberations “centred on understanding these intricate linkages, recognising {that a} holistic strategy is required, involving not solely punitive measures but in addition preventative methods, alongside unwavering political will from all stakeholders.”
The GoF for Accountability of Crimes in opposition to Peacekeepers was formally launched in December 2022 throughout India’s Presidency of the UN Safety Council, constructing upon the landmark Safety Council Decision 2589 (2021), a decision that particularly known as for facilitating accountability for crimes dedicated in opposition to peacekeepers and requested updates from the Secretary-Basic on progress.
The GoF is devoted to advancing authorized frameworks, selling investigations, and supporting measures to make sure accountability for crimes dedicated in opposition to United Nations peacekeepers. Its mission is to discourage future assaults and supply justice to peacekeepers and their households.
As a Co-Chair of the GoF, India continues to exhibit management and dedication to the reason for peacekeeping and accountability. With a historical past spanning over seven a long time, India is the most important cumulative troop-contributing nation to the United Nations, having deployed greater than 300,000 peacekeepers up to now.
The Everlasting Mission of India to the UN highlighted that “Indian peacekeepers have served with distinction and braveness in just about each main UN mission, enduring vital sacrifices, with 182 Indian peacekeepers having made the supreme sacrifice within the line of responsibility.”
(With ANI Inputs)
