Topic: 2025 – Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
Country: Bangladesh
Delegate Name: DeeDee Cairns
Legal
Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
Bangladesh
DeeDee Cairns
Forest Hills Northern
The United Nations relies on a vast and diverse workforce who operate globally, often in fragile environments. While many carry out their responsibilities with integrity, documented incidents of corruption, exploitation, and sexual abuse have raised serious concerns about the UN’s ability to ensure accountability. These cases have exposed inconsistent enforcement of legal norms and alarm over the effectiveness of the current accountability in the UN. Investigations of misconduct are undertaken by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), yet its ability to ensure criminal accountability remains constrained to the fact that only Member States have the authority to prosecute. Despite referral procedures established by the UN Secretariat and reinforced through General Assembly resolutions, UN reporting continues to have many numbers of allegations each year.
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh regards the integrity of UN service as fundamental to international peace and security. Bangladesh affirms that functional immunity must never act as a shield for criminal behavior. The Government of Bangladesh permits investigation and prosecution of its nationals who commit offences abroad, and it consistently cooperates with referrals transmitted by OIOS and the Conduct and Discipline Unit. Furthermore, Bangladesh emphasizes the necessity of a victim centered approach, especially in host countries where limited resources and unequal conditions prevent many victims from accessing justice.
Bangladesh believes that effective accountability requires a strengthened partnership between the United Nations and its Member States.The UN should continue strengthening its oversight bodies, report credible allegations more quickly to the relevant States, and make its follow-up process more transparent. Member States should also ensure that their national legal systems can prosecute serious crimes committed abroad so that offenders cannot escape responsibility. Bangladesh further supports stronger training before and during deployment on conduct, human rights, and preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, along with better protection for victims and witnesses.
Through these efforts, Bangladesh seeks a system that preserves the independence of UN officials while ensuring that those who commit serious crimes are held fully accountable. Upholding justice, protecting vulnerable people, and maintaining the credibility of the United Nations must remain central to the integrity and work of the UN.
