UN Security Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution to Prosecute Crimes Against Peacekeepers

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, aimed at ensuring accountability for crimes committed against UN peacekeepers, who have suffered increasing attacks with little consequence. The resolution, drafted by Denmark and Pakistan and co-sponsored by more than 150 countries, seeks to close long-standing gaps in justice for the thousands of uniformed personnel serving in some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones.

According to UN data, nearly 1,100 peacekeepers have been killed in deliberate attacks since 1948, including 359 since 2013, and several thousand more have been injured. Despite these losses, the resolution notes that the rate of prosecution for killings and other criminal acts against peacekeepers “has remained very low.” The measure authorizes UN Secretary-General António Guterres to ensure that after future attacks, factual records are promptly established and made available to host states, and to support investigations and prosecutions of all violent acts.

The resolution stresses that accountability is essential to deter future attacks and safeguard the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations. It calls on host countries to take all necessary measures to investigate crimes against peacekeepers and prosecute perpetrators, and requests the secretary-general to keep troop- and police-contributing countries informed of progress. A senior focal point on accountability is to be designated among current personnel, and the secretary-general must submit annual reports to the Council, with the first due within 120 days.

Speaking after the vote, Denmark’s UN Ambassador Christina Lassen declared that the resolution sends a firm message: “Attacks against them will not be met with silence or impunity.” Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Asim Ahmad noted that attacks have grown in number and sophistication, stressing that “most importantly, this resolution is a strong expression of the council’s political will to stand by the peacekeepers.” Russia’s acting permanent representative Anna Yevstigneyeva said the resolution confirms host countries’ right to necessary assistance in building investigative capacity.

The UN peacekeeping department reported “significant progress” since a similar 2021 resolution, with 103 individuals convicted since 2020 for offenses related to the killing of 35 peacekeepers and two UN experts in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, and Mali. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric welcomed the new resolution but stressed: “Much more needs to be done.” The Council will consider options presented within 120 days to further strengthen accountability.