In a significant initiative aimed at promoting accountability and justice for UN Peacekeepers, Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, announced the launch of a new database during a high-level meeting of the India-led Group of Friends (GOF) at the United Nations Headquarters.
The Group of Friends (GOF) was established by India in December 2022 during its presidency of the UN Security Council, with co-chairs including Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Morocco, and Nepal. The primary objective of the GOF is to advocate for accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, also known as Blue Helmets.
Ambassador Kamboj, in a post on social media platform X, expressed her delight at the launch of the new database, designed specifically to record crimes against peacekeepers and monitor progress in holding perpetrators accountable. She emphasized India’s leading role in advocating for accountability within the UN system.
The database, sponsored by India, is poised to serve as an online repository, empowering the Secretariat, UN missions, and member states to monitor and address cases of malicious acts against peacekeepers effectively. This initiative is a significant step towards facilitating comprehensive analysis and driving effective strategies to promote accountability.
The development of the database follows External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s announcement in December 2022, prompted by the tragic loss of 32 UN peacekeepers, including two Indians, in deliberate attacks earlier that year. The Minister highlighted the increasing challenges faced by UN Peacekeeping operations and emphasized the need for robust mechanisms to address crimes against peacekeepers.
The recent meeting of the Group of Friends (GOF), comprising 40 member states, focused on strengthening legal frameworks to combat perpetrators of malicious acts targeting peacekeepers. Ambassador Kamboj highlighted the group’s progress over the past year, particularly in understanding the challenges surrounding accountability and strengthening the rule of law within mission areas.
With insights gained from discussions, the GOF aims to enact impactful measures to advance accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. This initiative reaffirms India’s commitment to upholding the safety and security of UN peacekeepers and promoting peace and stability in conflict zones worldwide.
