New York, 15 December 2022:
“The attacks against the peacekeepers must be accounted for, and reinvigorated efforts and initiatives are
needed by all stakeholders to ensure and promote accountability for crimes against peacekeepers,” said the
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith while speaking
at the launching event of “Group of Friends to Promote Accountability for Crime against Peacekeepers” at
the UN Headquarters.
Six countries – Bangladesh, Egypt, France, India, Morocco, and Nepal as co-chairs have launched the
“Group of Friends to Promote Accountability for Crime against Peacekeepers”. In the launching event, the
External Affairs Minister of India, H.E. Dr. S Jaishankar delivered the keynote speech. While the Permanent
Representatives of 5 other co-chair countries, including Bangladesh delivered statements. The Under-
Secretary General of the Department of Peace Operations, Mr Jean Pierre Lacroix and the representative
from the Department of Operational Support also addressed the meeting.
In the keynote speech, mentioning that upholding accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers is a
multi-stakeholder’s task, the Indian External Affairs Minister emphasized on regular monitoring and follow
up on accountability issues.
In his statement, Bangladesh Permanent Representative mentioned that Bangladesh’s commitment to the
peacekeeping operations comes from the vision of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman for a peaceful world. He emphasized on effective engagement with the host state, swift
investigation into the incidents, capacity building of the host state, use of digital technology and addressing
misinformation and disinformation campaign against the peacekeepers as critical issues in order to ensure
and promote accountability for crime against peacekeepers.
This Group of Friends will act as a platform to promote accountability for all acts of violence against United
Nations peacekeepers by facilitating support to the host state, creating awareness, exchanging information,
sharing best practices, supporting initiatives, and mobilizing resources. On the day of launching, 36 member-
states joined the newly formed Group of Friends.