Security Council adopts resolution on accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers

The UN Security Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution on accountability for crimes committed against UN peacekeepers.

Resolution 2823 stresses that accountability for attacks against UN peacekeepers is essential to deter future attacks, safeguard the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations and the safety and security of peacekeepers.

The resolution aims to push the Security Council to move beyond simply condemning attacks and establish a more institutionalized follow-up mechanism, enabling the Security Council to continuously monitor relevant developments, including fact-finding, investigation progress, and accountability. It demonstrates the Security Council's commitment to maintaining the safety and security of peacekeepers.

The resolution condemns all attacks against UN peacekeepers, emphasizes that attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. It calls on all relevant stakeholders to cooperate with the UN in advancing related work, and stresses the responsibility of host countries to take all necessary measures to investigate such crimes and prosecute the perpetrators.

Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, stated that China is highly concerned about the safety of peacekeeping personnel and welcomes the unanimous adoption of the resolution.

"The current international security environment is complex and volatile, and peacekeeping personnel face severe traditional and non-traditional security threats, especially given the recent spate of attacks that have resulted in casualties among peacekeepers. Furthermore, the investigations and accountability efforts have been unsatisfactory. Therefore, further action by the Security Council is extremely necessary and urgent," he said.

Sun also emphasized that any deliberate attack on peacekeeping personnel is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and relevant Security Council resolutions, and China supports the Security Council's adoption of this resolution and its effective implementation.

Security Council adopts resolution on accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, met with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in India on Tuesday.

They are in New Delhi for the 16th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors and High Representatives on National Security.

Recalling two joint statements adopted by the two countries in May, Wang said China is ready to work with Russia to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen comprehensive strategic coordination, promote the accelerated development and revitalization of the two countries, and make China-Russia contributions to the peaceful development of mankind.

Noting BRICS's role as an important platform for the international community to practice multilateralism, uphold fairness and justice, and promote peace and security, Wang urged China and Russia to strengthen coordination and cooperation for reinforcing and expanding the BRICS mechanism, making it a leading force of the Global South.

The meeting should converge on the consensus of BRICS countries, address security challenges, safeguard the security environment, inject more certainty into a turbulent world, and make more "BRICS contributions", Wang added.

Shoigu said the continuous close exchanges between the heads of state of Russia and China are the fundamental guarantee for the sustained development of bilateral relations, demonstrating the two countries' unique and high-level relationship.

He called for deepened mutual trust and close cooperation between the two countries to resist interference and infiltration by external forces in the security field, and oppose Japan's attempt at re-militarization.

Russia is ready to enhance strategic coordination with China in multilateral mechanisms such as the BRICS to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region and the world.

China's top diplomat meets Russian Security Council secretary