Topic: 2025 – Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
Country: China
Delegate Name: Owen Hufnagel
Legal Committee
Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
People’s Republic of China
Owen Hufnagel
Forest Hills Eastern
The People’s Republic of China believes that the highest standards of conduct for UN officials, peacekeepers, and experts on mission are paramount and that investigations into corruption, exploitation, and abuse are essential. China acknowledges these horrendous acts as attempts to mar the UN’s reputation and do severe damage to victims, often women and children from developing nations. Yet the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations provides a proper framework for such officials to exercise their positions without excessive political intervention. Therefore, there is a precedent that balances UN independence while simultaneously creating accountability through comprehensive, consistent, and collaborative action by states. China appreciates the Secretary-General’s report (A/78/129), which outlines the lack of reporting, investigation, and data visibility, and therefore calls for action on these fronts to support rebuilding efforts.
China believes that criminal accountability should be endorsed while respecting national sovereignty and international law. In addition, home member states should be the route for prosecution, as General Assembly Resolution 62/63 supports citizenship-based intervention, encouraging member states to exercise jurisdiction over crimes committed on international territory and to sanction officials while in their positions at the UN. Not that host member states should intervene to create any form of impunity on their territory; yet, when jurisdictional issues arise, an extra burden should not be placed upon host member states. Ultimately, the UN cannot act as an adjudicatory body because its mandate does not permit it to do so; it may act only as an investigative body through the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) and by referral to the home state or standardized cooperative means. China would welcome such a bolstered effort through the currently established understanding between the UN and troop-contributing countries to ensure timely investigations and the implementation of sanctions in line with home states’ policies.
Going forward, reforms should include reasonable measures to increase transparency, coordination, and prevention without jeopardizing state sovereignty or politicizing data. Member states should implement stronger domestic legislation that clarifies an offense on paper from in situ officials operating under a UN mandate. There should be a more standardized reporting process through the UN: one that requires a response from the Secretary-General based on findings by a member state, enabling prompt collection of information to protect victims and ensure due process. In addition, there should be increased training for all UN officials, in particular, awareness training for sexual exploitation and abuse, appropriate training for operations, and cultural nuances. Finally, cooperation, not confrontation, is key in the future; upholding the principle that no one is above the law means respecting sovereignty and the rule of law to advocate for victimized populations while safeguarding the UN’s reputation and legitimacy.
