Topic: 2025 – Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
Country: Algeria
Delegate Name: Riley Dugan
Legal
Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
Algeria
Riley Dugan
Forest Hills Northern
The criminal accountability of UN officials highlights the limits of the diplomatic immunity granted to UN personnel. The UN employs hundreds of staff worldwide, many of whom operate in conflict zones or developing countries. The UN Legal Committee is responsible for overseeing and resolving any related issues among UN officials. In this regard, serious concerns have been raised about misconduct, corruption, exploitation, and abuse. Such acts have negatively impacted the organization’s credibility, reputation, and integrity, as well as its missions. Only 11 acts of criminal misconduct committed by UN officials have been reported to Member States, adding to the total of 342 cases reported since 2007. Algeria has expressed its concern over these crimes and instances of corruption among officials and supports the United Nations’ zero-tolerance policy toward criminal conduct. “In this respect, we reaffirm our support for the zero-tolerance policy of the United Nations concerning criminal conduct, in particular such serious crimes as sexual exploitation and abuse, financial fraud, and corruption committed by United Nations officials and experts on mission,” stated Mr. Mehdi Remaoun, First Secretary of Algeria. The UN has investigated staff, created a Conduct and Discipline Unit to track misconduct, and enabled prosecution in cooperation with Member States.
Criminal accountability of UN officials is a significant concern for Algeria, which has expressed its position at the United Nations General Assembly Sixth Committee. Crimes such as sexual exploitation and abuse, financial fraud, and corruption have been documented across UN missions, and Algeria emphasizes the importance of keeping the rule of law at both national and international levels. The country regulates that UN officials must be held accountable for their actions. Algeria has established anti-corruption institutions and launched the National Transparency Network (NARACOM) to prevent misconduct and promote professional integrity. Algeria has also shown its support for implementing the UN’s zero-tolerance policy, endorsing criminal accountability while prioritizing internal measures alongside international initiatives. Furthermore, Algeria has actively engaged in advancing discussions toward an international convention on the criminal accountability of UN officials and experts on mission. As stated by Mr. Mehdi Remaoun, Algeria’s First Secretary, “Algeria reiterates its readiness to cooperate to conclude future discussions, for the last 10 years, on the proposed international convention on criminal accountability of United Nations officials and experts on missions.” Algeria demonstrates a strong security-focused approach to accountability, not only within its borders but also in cooperation with other nations. To date, there are no public records of UN officials being criminally prosecuted in Algeria
The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria asserts that immunity among officials does not mean immediate exemption from consequences. This means that the host state ensures that there is jurisdiction over crimes, mandatory cooperation between the UN and authorities. Immunity shall be waived in such extreme cases, such as sexual exploitation, abuse, corruption, and fraud. Home states must prosecute officials who abuse their immunity in other countries, and repercussions must be met. Finally, ensuring that no UN official is above the law, obligations are met in home states, transparency is maintained, and global networks among the states are established, will create a stronger international community to address criminal accountability of UN officials.
