India has launched a new database designed to record crimes against UN Peacekeepers, according to Ruchira Kamboj, India’s envoy to the United Nations.
The launch of the database was announced at a high-level meeting of the India-led ‘Group of Friends (GOF)’, held on Tuesday. Kamboj said today in a post on X: “Delighted to announce the launch of a new database designed to record crimes against Peacekeepers & monitor progress in holding perpetrators accountable. India is at the forefront of advocating for accountability, leading the Group of Friends dedicated to this cause.”
Designed to serve as an online repository, the new database empowered the UN Secretariat, Missions, and member states to monitor and address cases of malicious acts against peacekeepers, said a press release by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.
“This database, sponsored by India, is hosted on the Unite Aware platform and is poised to facilitate comprehensive analysis and drive effective strategies for promoting accountability,” it said.
During the meeting on Tuesday, Kamboj highlighted the GOF’s progress over the past year, emphasising upon the insights gained into challenges surrounding accountability, particularly in strengthening the rule of law within Mission areas.
She expressed confidence in leveraging these insights to enact impactful measures advancing accountability for crimes against UN Peacekeepers.
The GOF was launched by India in 2022 to promote accountability for crimes against the Blue Helmets during its presidency of the UN Security Council. India, Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Morocco and Nepal are co-chairs of the GOF, which comprises 40 member states.
The meeting’s agenda also featured a substantive discussion on providing legal frameworks to support the concept of accountability for crimes against UN Peacekeepers.
Professor Bimal Patel, a distinguished member of the International Law Commission and Vice-Chancellor of the Rashtriya Raksha University, shared expert insights on the topic.