New York [US], July 16 (ANI): India has reiterated its firm commitment to ensuring accountability for crimes committed against United Nations peacekeepers, calling it a 'strategic necessity' for global peacekeeping operations.

Speaking at a high-level meeting of the Group of Friends (GoF) for promoting accountability for crimes against peacekeepers held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish, highlighted the 'tremendous obstacle ' faced by UN peacekeepers while working.

'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,' he said.

Emphasising the need for accountability, he affirmed, '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.'

'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

The High Level Meeting of the Group of Friends for Accountability of Crimes against Peacekeepers, co-chaired by India and other leading nations, reaffirmed the steadfast dedication of the GoF to ensuring justice for those who bravely serve under the UN flag.

'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,' Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York said in a statement.

'In a powerful demonstration of concerted international will, senior representatives from around 40 Member States, senior UN officials and experts, including from field missions, deliberated on enhanced strategies, operational frameworks, and fostering greater international cooperation to bring perpetrators of crimes against peacekeepers to justice,' it added.

The discussions highlighted the escalating threats faced by peacekeepers in increasingly volatile environments and the undeniable link between impunity and the continued targeting of these front-line protectors.

Further, the statement noted that the Group's deliberations 'centred on understanding these intricate linkages, recognising that a holistic approach is required, involving not only punitive measures but also preventative strategies, alongside unwavering political will from all stakeholders.'

The GoF for Accountability of Crimes against Peacekeepers was formally launched in December 2022 during India's Presidency of the UN Security Council, building upon the landmark Security Council Resolution 2589 (2021), a resolution that specifically called for facilitating accountability for crimes committed against peacekeepers and requested updates from the Secretary-General on progress.

The GoF is dedicated to advancing legal frameworks, promoting investigations, and supporting measures to ensure accountability for crimes committed against United Nations peacekeepers. Its mission is to deter future attacks and provide justice to peacekeepers and their families.

As a Co-Chair of the GoF, India continues to demonstrate leadership and commitment to the cause of peacekeeping and accountability. With a history spanning over seven decades, India is the largest cumulative troop-contributing country to the United Nations, having deployed more than 300,000 peacekeepers to date.

The Permanent Mission of India to the UN highlighted that '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.' (ANI)