Topic: 2025 – Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
Country: Colombia
Delegate Name: McKenzie Montgomery
The Republic of Colombia believes that no one person or one group of people should be excused from taking accountability for crimes. This also includes UN officials. It doesn’t look good for the United Nations if people are being excused for crimes that other people would get in a lot of trouble for. Colombia believes it’s very important to focus on questions about jurisdiction and immunity that come with it. But Colombia believes that if we work together and share our ideas for solutions, we can solve these problems!
One such solution that Colombia proposes is to adhere more strictly to existing structures in the ICC (International Criminal Court). In the General Assembly 67/88 entitled “Criminal accountability of United Nations officials and experts on mission,” this solution arose. It prosecutes people for crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes under international law. It also states that no person under the age of 18 years old or older is immune from prosecution, including heads of state. The downside is that many major countries, such as the United States, China, and Russia all don’t follow this, so Colombia believes it is important to spread the word on this solution. If even heads of state must be held liable, then so too should UN officials.
Colombia also obliges the attorney-general to take steps to ensure effective protection of victims of, and witnesses to, crimes in general. This will be a way to hold officials (as well as others committing crimes) accountable. While also growing people’s trust with the United Nations, as they’re not only paying attention to the criminals and still holding them accountable, no matter who they are.
Colombia is also a contributor to UN peacekeeping forces and has been since 2015. Together, member states should use these forces to apprehend any official who violates their role by committing crimes. In conclusion, Colombia hopes to spread ways to hold everyone, including UN officials, accountable in the best way possible. Knowing that it is important to keep a good reputation with the people while also being fair and keeping everyone safe.
https://www.un.org/en/ga/sixth/gov_comments/pdfs/criminal_accountability/2014/english/colombia.pdf
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