Denmark and Pakistan Push UN Resolution to End Impunity for Attacks on Peacekeepers

Denmark and Pakistan have submitted a draft United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at ending what they describe as long-standing impunity for those responsible for attacks on UN peacekeepers, a move that is expected to be put to a vote in the coming days.

The resolution, seen by Arab News, directly addresses concerns that accountability for crimes against UN personnel has remained weak for years. It warns that the lack of prosecutions has “undermined the safety and security” of peacekeepers deployed in some of the world’s most volatile conflict zones.

According to the text, the rate of legal action against perpetrators of such attacks remains “very low,” despite repeated incidents targeting UN missions across Africa and the Middle East.

The initiative comes at a time of renewed concern over peacekeeper safety, particularly in Lebanon, where seven personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon have been killed since the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in early March. In a separate incident on Thursday, two Malaysian peacekeepers were lightly injured after broken glass struck their vehicle during an airstrike near a UN position in Tibnin.

Denmark and Pakistan, both elected members of the Security Council since January 2025, have made peacekeeping reform a central focus of their tenure. Alongside South Korea, they have formed an informal “peacekeeping trio” seeking to strengthen global attention on the safety and effectiveness of UN missions.

The draft resolution places primary responsibility on host states to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for attacks on peacekeepers. It calls on governments and relevant parties to cooperate fully with the United Nations to ensure “the identification, investigation and prosecution of perpetrators without delay.”

It further emphasizes that such obligations are not optional, urging states to take “all necessary measures” in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The text also highlights a structural gap within the UN system, noting the absence of a dedicated mechanism to systematically pursue justice in cases involving peacekeeper casualties. It proposes the creation of a senior focal point within the UN to improve coordination and encourages troop-contributing countries to deploy trained investigators to assist local authorities when requested.

The resolution describes an increasingly dangerous operational environment for UN peacekeepers, expressing concern over the rising “number, scope and sophistication” of attacks. These include the use of shelling, improvised explosive devices, and unmanned aerial systems, which have become more common in missions across Africa and the Middle East.

Since 2013, at least 251 peacekeepers have been killed in malicious attacks in countries including the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mali. According to the resolution, perpetrators have rarely been brought to justice, reinforcing calls for stronger enforcement and accountability measures.

The Security Council is expected to consider the proposal imminently.