Topic: 2025 – Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
Country: Sierra Leone
Delegate Name: Julian Andare
The criminal accountability of United Nations officials, specifically U.N. peacekeepers, is a highly complex situation, requiring careful navigation of international law, immunity, and criminal prosecution. Under Article 105 of the United Nations Charter, U.N. officials “shall similarly enjoy such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the independent exercise of their functions in connection with the Organization. It is critical that the Legal Committee acknowledges that this immunity is not absolute, only freeing officials from national jurisdiction and restricting unconsented search. This topic is one that is of the utmost importance to Sierra Leone, a nation that has depended upon U.N. peacekeeping previously. As a troop-providing nation to the U.N., Sierra Leone believes that this topic is extremely important and requires further resolution. However, despite extensive legal frameworks and resolutions on the topic, significant challenges remain in ensuring effective accountability for perpetrators.
Unfortunately, the crime most often perpetrated by U.N. peacekeepers is forms of sexual abuse towards those in the mission country. As stated by Secretary-General António Guterres, “Sexual abuse violates everything the United Nations stands for and tears apart the trust placed in us by the communities we serve.” This issue is especially prevalent in war-torn nations, especially African nations. This issue is not one that is contained and is an isolated incident; it is a dire situation that requires a swift resolution that will hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions. This is proven by the 2017 incident of when 134 peacekeepers were involved in a sexual exploitation ring in Haiti over a ten-year period, involving minors. It has been extensively documented that peacekeepers have withheld critical supplies from victims if they do not comply. The true scale of this situation is displayed by the shocking 758 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by staff in 2023. This topic requires a resolution that gets victims the justice they deserve and holds officials accountable. Victims must have access to key resources and support after these situations occur, and investigations must be conducted.
Sierra Leone considers this issue to be of the utmost importance to be resolved. The Legal Committee should adopt a dual-mandate resolution: holding officials accountable and providing support to victims. Accountability first starts with officials themselves; troop-providing nations must properly train their troops on conduct standards and local customs. This allows the peacekeepers to maintain a positive relationship with the local community. It is further critical that the nations that send troops to peacekeeping operations adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual abuse, a policy that Sierra Leone utilizes. Another key issue in this topic is the question of prosecution. In this matter, Sierra Leone affirms that the responsibility of prosecution falls upon the troop-supplying nation, and action must be taken. Any incident of sexual abuse perpetrated by any U.N. official should be referred to the office of internal oversight services. This allows for a proper investigation into the circumstances and an appropriate resolution to be reached. If peacekeepers are found to have violated policy, they should be repatriated to their home nation, barred from future missions, and referred for criminal prosecution. Further, troop-contributing nations should supply the United Nations with a comprehensive report of the prosecution process.
As for victims, proper support materials and relief must be made available by the United Nations in case of an incident. Such materials must be provided by the local United Nations peacekeeping office, such as MONUSCO, by an appropriate official. Such services include medical, psychosocial, legal services and safe homes. These services can be provided through the Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, as outlined through its objectives.
Ultimately, the delegation of Sierra Leone maintains that peacekeeping operations may only function properly if accountability for perpetrators and their enablers is present and consistent. Troop-contributing nations must prosecute offenders. Furthermore, the United Nations must provide critical support to survivors of abuse and their families. Sierra Leone will support any resolution that supports these principles and strengthens the world’s trust in the United Nations.
