Informal discussion and reception with the Heads of Justice and Corrections components of Peacekeeping Missions

PMI - Tuesday 7 November 2023 – 1200 hours

Remarks by Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj

*******

Good afternoon, esteemed colleagues, and thank you for joining us today.

We have come together here because of our shared commitment to ensuring the safety of our Peacekeepers by eradicating impunity and fostering accountability for crimes committed against them. Many of you are part of the Group of Friends for Accountability for Crimes against Peacekeepers, which we initiated last December.

These are undoubtedly challenging times for UN Peacekeeping. Conflict zones have become more perilous, witnessing a surge in malicious acts against our Peacekeepers in recent years. Sadly, many of these acts have gone unpunished, exacerbating the issue of impunity.

However, there is a glimmer of hope in recent developments. Over the past four years, host state rule of law institutions have investigated 128 cases, resulting in the conviction of 72 individuals responsible for crimes against Peacekeepers. If we can lend our support and momentum to this positive trend, we have the potential to significantly curtail impunity and create a safer environment for our Peacekeepers.

Today, we are fortunate to have the Heads of Justice and Corrections from the Missions with us. They play a pivotal role in our mission to promote accountability for crimes against Peacekeepers. They directly interact with Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs), host states, and sometimes even the perpetrators, making them well-versed in the challenges hindering our accountability efforts.

The presence of our esteemed guests today presents us with a unique opportunity. We now have all stakeholders involved in the pursuit of accountability for crimes against Peacekeepers—TCCs, Secretariat representatives, and Mission components—all under one roof.

This gathering offers us a platform to engage in a comprehensive discussion. We can delve into the obstacles obstructing our path to accountability, identify the necessary steps to overcome these obstacles, and brainstorm ways to cultivate and fortify a culture of accountability.

Without further delay, I would like to invite our Heads of Justice and Corrections to provide a brief overview of the dynamics within their respective Missions. Following their introductions, we will open the floor for questions and comments from member states.

I now yield the floor to Mr. Ahmad Ghanem, Chief of Service for Justice and Corrections at MINUSMA.