Accountability for Crimes Against UN Peacekeepers
International Relations
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
UPSC frequently examines the challenges faced by UN peacekeeping missions, India's significant role in them, and the broader framework of international law and justice. This specific issue highlights the operational, legal, and ethical complexities involved in maintaining international peace and security, and the efforts to protect those serving in conflict zones.
UN Peacekeeping Operations are deployed globally to maintain international peace and security, but their personnel often face significant risks, including targeted attacks. Ensuring accountability for crimes committed against these peacekeepers is crucial for upholding international law and the effectiveness of missions.
Facts & tables
- Casualties
- Over 1,100 peacekeepers have lost their lives since 1948.
- Prosecution Rate
- Historically, the rate of prosecution for crimes against peacekeepers has remained very low.
- UNSC Resolutions
- The UN Security Council has adopted resolutions (e.g., 2021, 2026) to strengthen accountability mechanisms.
- Secretary-General's Role
- The Secretary-General is authorized to collect facts, support investigations, and prosecutions of violent acts against peacekeepers.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | United Nations Peacekeeping |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| UN Security Council | Mandates and oversees international peace and security efforts, including peacekeeping operations and accountability measures |
| UN Secretary-General | Implements security council resolutions, provides options, and supports investigations and prosecutions |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions
- UNSC adopted a resolution to ensure justice for crimes against peacekeepers.
- Addresses historically low prosecution rates for attacks on UN personnel.
- Secretary-General authorized to collect facts and support investigations/prosecutions.
- Follows a 2021 resolution, indicating ongoing international efforts.
- Aims to strengthen accountability and deter future attacks on peacekeepers.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2026 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2016 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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United Nations Peacekeeping
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2016
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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UN adopts resolution to ensure perpetrators of crimes against peacekeepers face justice
The UN Security Council has adopted resolutions to enhance accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, authorizing the Secretary-General to support investigations and prosecutions to address the historically low conviction rates and ensure justice for fallen personnel, thereby strengthening the rule of law in international relations.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2015–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
UN adopts resolution to ensure perpetrators of crimes against peacekeepers face justice
The UN Security Council has adopted resolutions to enhance accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, authorizing the Secretary-General to support investigations and prosecutions to address the historically low conviction rates and ensure justice for fallen personnel, thereby strengthening the rule of law in international relations.
Try these PYQs
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Statement 1 is correct. The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations, and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Statement 2 is correct. The General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly. Statement 3 is correct. Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
| List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) |
|---|---|
| A. UNMIL | 1. 2007 - 2010 |
| B. MINURCAT | 2. 2002 - 2005 |
| C. MINUSTAH | 3. 2003 - 2018 |
| D. UNMISET | 4. 2004 - 2017 |
The correct matching of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations with their respective periods of operation is as follows: * UNMIL (United Nations Mission in Liberia): Established in September 2003 following the end of the Second Liberian Civil War, this mission aimed to support the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the peace process. It officially closed on March 30, 2018. Thus, A matches 3.
* MINURCAT (United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad): Established in September 2007 to protect civilians, promote human rights, and support regional peace in the face of spillover violence from the Darfur conflict. Its mandate officially ended on December 31, 2010. Thus, B matches 1.
* MINUSTAH (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti): Established in April 2004 after the 2004 Haitian coup d'état to restore a secure and stable environment. The mission officially ended on October 15, 2017, transitioning to a smaller justice support mission (MINUJUSTH). Thus, C matches 4.
* UNMISET (United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor): Established on May 20, 2002, to provide assistance to the newly independent nation of East Timor (Timor-Leste) in developing core administrative structures and maintaining security. It successfully completed its mandate on May 20, 2005. Thus, D matches 2. Therefore, the correct matching is A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2.
With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements:
1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. The United Nations Credentials Committee is a committee of the United Nations General Assembly. Statement 2 is incorrect. A Credentials Committee is appointed at the beginning of each regular session of the General Assembly. It consists of nine members, who are appointed by the General Assembly on the proposal of the President. Statement 3 is correct. The Committee reports to the Assembly on the credentials of representatives. The Committee is mandated to examine the credentials of representatives of Member States and to report to the General Assembly thereon (Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly). The credentials of representatives and the names of members of the delegation of each Member State are submitted to the Secretary-General and are issued either by the Head of the State or Government or by the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Rule 27 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly).
Consider the following UN organisations/agencies :
1. World Food Programme
2. United Nations Children's Fund
3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
4. International Labour Organisation
How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice ?
World Food Programme (WFP) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger and prevent its use as a weapon of war and conflict. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 1965 for its humanitarian work and efforts to enhance solidarity between nations. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice (1954 and 1981). The 1954 prize recognized its post-WWII refugee relief efforts, and the 1981 prize honored its ongoing work promoting the fundamental rights of refugees globally. International Labour Organisation (ILO) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 1969 for its role in improving working conditions, promoting social justice, and contributing to global peace. Since only one organisation (UNHCR) out of the four listed has been awarded the Nobel Prize twice, the correct option is A.
Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, originally (and still colloquially) known as the Gulf Cooperation Council, is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf except Iran. Its member states are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Charter of the Gulf Cooperation Council was signed on 25 May 1981, formally establishing the institution. Hence, option A is the correct answer.
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Technology Council'
Statement-II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to begin technological progress and physical productivity under their control.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statement?
* Statement 1 is correct: Trade and Technology Council was launched by the the United States of America and the European Union during the EU-US Summit on 15 June 2021 in Brussels. * Statement 2 is incorrect: Trade and Technology council, the USA and EU does not aim to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control. Rather the initiative intends to promote pooling of digital resources such as AI models and computing power, and make them available to partner countries to address challenges in areas such as climate change and extreme weather, healthcare or smart agriculture.
In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
All 6 participants of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation are member countries bordering the basins of the Mekong and Ganga rivers, aiming to collaborate on various initiatives. These countries are: - India - Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Thailand - Vietnam Hence, China & Bangladesh are not part of the Mekong-Ganga Corporation.
Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct?
1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.
Select the answer using the code given below :
* Statement 1 is incorrect: Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023 was a joint military exercise between India and Sri Lanka. * Statement 2 is correct: The ninth edition of Joint Military exercise “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” commenced in Aundh (Pune). * Statement 3 is correct: The Scope of the exercise includes synergizing joint responses during counter-terrorist operations. * Statement 4 is correct: 15 personnel from Indian Air Force and five personnel from Sri Lankan Air Force participated in the exercise.