Topic: 2025 – Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
Country: India
Delegate Name: Ezra Navin
The Republic of India believes that no one person is above the law, not even United Nations officials. The Criminal Accountability of UN Officials is a problem that could seriously undermine the integrity, credibility, and image of the United Nations. As such, it is important to streamline the policies of jurisdiction across the United Nations. During the period from July 1st, 2022, to June 30th, 2023, there were 11 United Nations officials, and experts reported for investigation and possible prosecution, 1 allegation of corruption and fraud, 5 allegations of fraud, 3 allegations of entitlement fraud, and 2 allegations of sexual assault and harassment. Although these case numbers are lower than in previous years, India believes that even one case is enough to harm the reputation of the UN.
Furthermore, the Indian delegation recognises States as primarily responsible for conducting thorough investigations of UN Officials and, if found guilty, punishing the accused officials under the state’s own laws. Additionally, while UN officials are on a mission, the host country is responsible for monitoring unlawful behaviour. The delegation strongly urges states to establish jurisdiction over serious crimes committed by their nationals while on the United Nations mission. India also urges the United Nations to provide states with technical and other appropriate assistance to update their laws and develop legal measures. Providing assistance will eventually fill the jurisdiction gap among member states.
Related to this topic is the Indian Extradition Act, 1962, which deals with the extradition of fugitive criminals and the related issues. The Act allows for extradition during extraditable offences related to the terms of an extradition treaty with another state. Similar laws to this could be created to ensure the protection of UN officials by their host country. The delegation of India would also like to reiterate the need for regular contributions to the Secretary General’s Trust Fund, created to assist victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. India has been regularly contributing to the fund and hopes that all member states will do the same.
As one of the leaders of the NAM (Non-Alignment Movement), the Indian delegation agrees with their statements on the Criminal Accountability of UN Officials. Currently, countries included in the NAM contribute more than 80% of the peacekeeping personnel in the field, but many of these countries are also major recipients of those peacekeeping missions. To this point, the Movement expresses its appreciation for the major contributions and sacrifices made by these UN peacekeepers. However, the NAM stresses that if its no tolerance policy for exploitation and abuse is used by the UN, the policy could help with the accountability of UN officials.
The Republic of India believes that there should be no tolerance for the illegal activities of UN officials and that if officials are found guilty of such activities, the jurisdiction for these crimes should lie with the host countries of those officials. India hopes that this committee can reach an agreement on the Criminal Accountability of UN Officials to prevent future illegal actions by UN officials.
Bibliography:
Government of India. Statement by India: Criminal Accountability of United Nations Officials and Experts on Mission. United Nations, 2023
https://www.un.org/en/ga/sixth/78/pdfs/statements/criminal_accountability/08mtg_india.pdf.
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Statement on Criminal Accountability of United Nations Officials and Experts on Mission. United Nations, 2025,
https://www.un.org/en/ga/sixth/80/pdfs/statements/criminal_accountability/9mtg_nam.pdf.
United Nations. “Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.” Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, https://www.un.org/preventing-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse/content/trust-fund
