Topic: 2025 – Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delegate Name: Harini Manikandan
From the United Nation’s failures in addressing several genocides in Africa to the immense refugee support it has given in the Middle East, the Democratic Republic of Congo recognizes the momentous impact the UN has on the world, both good and bad. The United Nations holds the responsibility in ensuring the rights of humans throughout the world, and it is the body that provides help to nations in need. However, when the people who came to help and solve the issues commit crimes themselves, it becomes a disastrous issue. According to the United Nations: Conduct in UN Field Missions on SEA Report, from the over 250 proven cases of sexual assault, only 105 cases have led to punishment by the home country. While it is hard to capture the criminal in the first place, the lack of follow-through leaves this issue to continue spiraling.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has faced many challenges with the harms committed by the UN peacekeepers that have come to our nation in the pretense of help. In 2023, there were eight peacekeepers convicted of committing sexual exploitation and violence in eastern DRC. These peackeepers were in our nation under the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission, and they were found to have raped young girls from ages 12-19. We hold a very personal connection to this issue, and we worry about the lack of tangible convictions that result from the home country. The DRC does not take these crimes lightly, and we urge the United Nation to not only find a solution to solve this issue, but also convict the criminals for their crimes.
While the Democratic Republic of Congo appreciates the aid given by the United Nations in times of need, it is very important that these issues are addressed in a timely manner. The longer we wait to address these problems within the system, the more it will fester and harm the innocents. The first solution that the DRC proposes is an increase in transparency of the proceedings of the criminals. When home countries are given the responsibility of prosecuting the perpetrators, the UN should still be able to see the results of the cases and the jail times. The DRC also urges more justice for child survivors and the provision of aid to help them recover. The Democratic Republic of Congo looks forward to working with other nations to help eradicate this issue from the system, leading to a better future where aid doesn’t harm but helps.
