Group of Friends organization for peacekeepers
- Recently India has launched a “Group of Friends” to promote accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.
- It was launched during India’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
What is Group of Friends?
- The “Group of Friends to Promote Accountability for Crimes Against Peacekeepers” is an informal forum that will work to promote accountability for all acts of violence against UN peacekeepers.
- It seeks to provide capacity building and technical assistance for the authorities of host states to prevent and address such crimes.
- Its co-chairs are India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Egypt, France and Morocco.
- This informal forum will serve as a platform to exchange information, share best practices and mobilize resources to facilitate accountability for crimes committed against peacekeepers.
- The Forum will actively share information with the Secretary-General and assist Member States that are hosting peacekeeping operations or assisting them in bringing perpetrators to justice.
- It will hold 2 meetings of its members each year, and one event each year involving permanent missions and other stakeholders.
Why was the group created?
- The “Group of Friends” are countries involved in the implementation of the provisions of the UNSC resolution, which was adopted in August 2021 under the UNSC chairmanship of India.
Source – The Hindu
