In 2004, major problems of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other operations became a public scandal for the United Nations. Before that story broke, the Future of Peace Operations Program (FOPO) had begun work on the problem of criminal accountability for personnel in peace operations. Because states retain disciplinary responsibility for their military forces in peace operations, that work focused on UN staff and experts on mission, a category that includes UN police. As operations become more deeply involved in assisting or substituting for local government, their personnel must themselves be subject to the rule of law, and be seen as subject to it by local peoples. However, in Improving Criminal Accountability in United Nations Peace Operations, FOPO found that the tenuous reach of the law covering criminal acts by UN personnel on mission has left a legal and procedural vacuum filled only in part by administrative sanctions (such as fines, dismissal, and/or repatriation) for actions that would be felonies under most states’ domestic laws. FOPO therefore looked into other options, some of which would require serious rethinking of criminal jurisdiction in and for peace operations.
International Order & Conflict
Report
Improving Criminal Accountability in United Nations Peace Operations
Share on twitter
Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
Share on email
COVID-19 Notice: To protect the health of our team and our community, Stimson Center staff are working remotely. The Stimson office is closed to all visitors. All public events are now online. Staff remain available via email, phone, and video conference. During this time, the Stimson Center will continue its important work, informing policymakers and the public — here, on social media, and via email.
RESEARCH
Menu
Impact
Menu
More
Menu
About
Menu
Contact
- 202.223.5956
- 202.238.9604
- 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
Media Inquiries
- Caiti Goodman
- 202.478.3437
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
Copyright The Henry L. Stimson Center