Topic: 2025 – Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
Country: Bolivia
Delegate Name: Mithil Joshi
Criminal Accountability of UN Officials through the Lens of Bolivia
The accountability of UN officials is a rising concern as allegations of misconduct, corruption, and abuse have risen in countries such as Haiti, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Full functional immunity protects officials from political intervention and interference, yet hinders the prosecution of serious crimes. Bolivia maintains that UN officials must operate with legal safeguards, but no individual should ever be above the law. Ensuring integrity while preserving the UN’s operational independence is essential for maintaining trust in peacekeeping missions worldwide.
Bolivia has actively participated in UN peacekeeping and developing operations, including through the G77 and regional cooperation with CELAC. In fact, Bolivia has contributed personnel to UN missions in Latin America and aided initiatives to fight corruption and sexual exploitation within UN operations. Bolivia understands the significance of immunity for UN officials in shaky environments, but past incidents, like in the previously stated Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlight the need for stronger oversight. Bolivia aligns with countries that promote transparent mechanisms while simultaneously balancing the UN’s independence, and notes that countries that contribute troops to UN peacekeeping missions, like Bangladesh, Rwanda, and Nepal, have faced similar accountability challenges
Bolivia supports measures that maintain functional immunity but concurrently establishes clear procedures for lifting in cases of criminal activity and misconduct. A joint oversight panel, including legal experts from small and large states, should have the ability to assess jurisdictional questions, while the United Nations, host states, and home countries share the responsibility of investigations and prosecutions. Bolivia proposed mandatory pre-deployment training on local law, standard evidence preservation protocols, and a victim assistance fund financed by member states. These methods ensure accountability, protect victims, and preserve the credibility and effectiveness of UN operations.
