Topic: 2025 – Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
Country: Portugal
Delegate Name: Ishitha Turlapati
Name: Ishitha Turlapati
Country: Portugal
Committee: Legal
Topic: Criminal Accountability of UN Officials
School: Portage Central High School
Portugal believes the United Nations’ credibility and moral authority are rooted in its integrity and accountability. However, the Secretary-General’s latest report, Criminal Accountability of United Nations Officials and Experts on Mission (A/78/129), makes it clear that serious misconduct, including corruption, fraud, sexual exploitation, and abuse, still happens across different UN missions. These violations don’t just undermine public trust; they disrupt peacekeeping by hitting vulnerable groups, especially women and children in fragile or conflict-affected states. Portugal, a firm supporter of human rights, the rule of law, and international cooperation, insists that the UN needs a stronger and transparent system for accountability.
Portugal recognizes that functional immunity enables UN staff to perform their duties without political interference, particularly in sensitive situations. As the Secretary-General’s report points out, immunity only covers actions taken in an official role. It can’t and shouldn’t protect anyone who commits serious crimes. When credible allegations come up, Portugal supports quick, informed decisions on lifting immunity and a victim-centered approach, which aligns with the UN’s focus on upholding the dignity and rights of survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse. For Portugal, keeping a real balance between operational independence and legal accountability is non-negotiable.
Portugal stands by General Assembly Resolution 62/63: the official’s home country has the main job of prosecuting UN personnel accused of crimes. Host states, especially those in conflict zones like Haiti, often lack the stability, resources, or even the legal authority for fair trials. That’s why Portugal supports a cooperative approach. The home country leads prosecution, the UN shares evidence and findings, and when possible, the host state joins in the investigation. This model respects national sovereignty and ensures no one serving the UN can dodge justice.
Portugal also highlights the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) as central to accountability inside the UN. Portugal supports expanding the OIOS’s capacity to deploy rapid-response investigative teams, especially where risks are high. Also, it urges all Member States to adopt laws supporting extraterritorial jurisdiction, as recommended in A/78/129.
Portugal supports creating a central UN registry to track allegations, the progress of investigation, and prosecution results, making the process more transparent but still protecting confidentiality. At the same time, Portugal views stronger victim support as key to restoring trust in the UN and ensuring justice.
Portugal insists that immunity must never mean impunity. By clarifying jurisdiction, strengthening investigations, making the process more transparent, and prioritizing victims, the UN can defend its credibility and keep the world’s trust. Portugal remains committed to all Member States developing fair, effective, and human rights-centered ways to ensure every UN official is held to the highest standards of international law.
Sources
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/4059939
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/614089
https://www.un.org/en/ga/sixth/78/criminal_accountability.shtml
https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/news/2024/03/91964/sexual-exploitation-and-abuse-un-intensifying-efforts-uphold-victims
