Comprehensive Review of the Whole Question of Peacekeeping ...

A/57/767
credibility, impartiality, and integrity of the United Nations. The Committee fully
agrees with the remarks in the report of the Secretary-General concerning the need
for all peacekeepers to abide by the code of conduct. Acts of misconduct have a
detrimental effect on the relations of national contingents with the local population
and could cause difficulties in fulfilling mandates.
181. The Special Committee fully supports the initiatives undertaken by the
Department of Peacekeeping Operations to prevent misconduct, including the abuse
of power and sexual exploitation. The Committee emphasizes the need to build
greater awareness among United Nations peacekeepers of their responsibilities,
including through improved predeployment training. The Committee also
encourages the Department to continue efforts in developing necessary training
materials to this end.
182. The Special Committee stresses the need to ensure respect for the standard of
conduct expected of United Nations peacekeepers. In this regard, the Committee
agrees that a single standard of conduct must apply to all personnel serving in
peacekeeping operations.
183. The Special Committee also recommends that consideration be given to the
development of common principles and guidelines for accountability and to ensure
that these instruments take into consideration the relevant provisions of international
law. These principles and guidelines should draw on lessons learned from
peacekeeping operations and should be incorporated into the training of United
Nations personnel deployed in peacekeeping missions.
184. The Special Committee requests that the Secretariat consult closely with the
troop-contributing countries, drawing on lessons learned, to develop a common
understanding and agreed procedures to handle cases of alleged violations of the
Code of Conduct. The Committee also believes that, in handling such cases, there is
the need for agreement on applicable laws. To that end, the Committee, considering
the importance of this issue, requests that the Secretariat convene a meeting with
Member States in 2003 to discuss ways and means of meeting the challenges in this
area and minimizing misconduct.
185. Bearing in mind the shared responsibility of the United Nations and troopcontributing
countries for their personnel, the Special Committee emphasizes that
cases of alleged misconduct should be handled through cooperation between troopcontributing
countries concerned and the mission leadership, including with regard
to public information, and the need for taking action respecting national laws. In this
context, the Committee urges the Secretariat to involve the contributing country
concerned from the very outset in an investigation into any case of alleged
misconduct. The Committee urges the Secretariat to make the outcome of the
investigation, including all related evidence, available to that country, in order to
enable its national judicial authorities to take legal steps.
18. Other matters
Visits to missions
186. The Special Committee welcomes the holding of the conference “Partners in
Peacekeeping” by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in Freetown, from
3 to 5 March 2003, and considers that such conferences, which can be beneficial to
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