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Accountability for attacks on Peacekeepers is a strategic necessity: India at UN

Accountability for attacks on Peacekeepers is a strategic necessity: India at UN

India Today14 hours ago
India has once again made a strong appeal for justice in cases where crimes are committed against United Nations peacekeepers. At a high-level meeting of the Group of Friends (GoF) for Accountability for Crimes Against Peacekeepers, held at the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish, stressed that justice for peacekeepers is not just important — it is a strategic necessity.advertisement"United Nations peacekeepers face tremendous obstacles while working in increasingly dangerous areas. But for the most part, these crimes continue to go unpunished. This lack of accountability severely undermines international peace efforts by giving assailants more confidence," Ambassador Harish said.He said, "Therefore, accountability is a strategic necessity. In addition to being required by law, ensuring responsibility for crimes against UN personnel is essential to the integrity and efficacy of international peacekeeping efforts."
According to Harish, when justice is served, it helps boost the safety and morale of peacekeepers, enabling them to do their work more effectively. "Peacekeepers' safety is directly improved by justice, allowing them to carry out their vital missions. It is our common duty to fulfil this obligation," he added.
GLOBAL COMMUNITY SHOWS SUPPORT FOR PEACEKEEPERSThe meeting was co-chaired by India and other key nations. The Permanent Mission of India to the UN said in a statement, "It also underscored the critical imperative to combat impunity for attacks against peacekeepers, emphasising that accountability is not merely a matter of justice for individuals but a basis for the effectiveness, credibility, and future of UN Peace Operations worldwide."Around 40 member states took part in the meeting, along with senior UN officials and field experts. They discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and improve laws and strategies that will help catch and punish those who attack UN peacekeepers. The discussions pointed to rising dangers faced by peacekeepers in conflict zones and how the failure to act only encourages more attacks.The statement further noted that the discussions were focused on creating a more complete strategy. This includes both punishments for the guilty and preventative actions to stop such crimes from happening in the first place. "A holistic approach is required, involving not only punitive measures but also preventative strategies, alongside unwavering political will from all stakeholders," it said.INDIA'S LEGACY IN UN PEACEKEEPINGIndia has long been one of the biggest contributors to UN peacekeeping forces. In fact, India has sent over 300,000 peacekeepers to serve in various UN missions across the world over the past 70 years. Many of these peacekeepers have served bravely in dangerous areas and made great sacrifices.advertisementThe Permanent Mission of India highlighted this service, saying, "Indian peacekeepers have served with distinction and courage in virtually every major UN mission, enduring significant sacrifices, with 182 Indian peacekeepers having made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty."The Group of Friends for Accountability of Crimes Against Peacekeepers was formally launched in December 2022 during India's presidency of the UN Security Council. This group builds on the work of UN Security Council Resolution 2589, passed in 2021, which specifically aimed to improve accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.- EndsWith inputs from ANIMust Watch
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From Ajay Jadeja, Azharuddin To Sreesanth: Indian Cricketers Accused Of Selling Their Teams For Money

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