The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution aimed at strengthening accountability for attacks on U.N. peacekeepers, amid concern over rising violence against U.N. personnel and low prosecution rates.

The resolution, drafted by Denmark and Pakistan and co-sponsored by 152 countries, was adopted unanimously by the council.

Members of UNIFIL, in armored vehicles, patrol the road of the southern Lebanese village of Tair Debba, April.Members of UNIFIL, in armored vehicles, patrol the road of the southern Lebanese village of Tair Debba, April.Close

Members of UNIFIL, in armored vehicles, patrol the road of the southern Lebanese village of Tair Debba, April. Credit: Kawnat Haju/AFP

Members of UNIFIL, in armored vehicles, patrol the road of the southern Lebanese village of Tair Debba, April. Credit: Kawnat Haju/AFP

The move follows a series of deadly incidents involving peacekeepers, including the deaths of seven members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon after fighting resumed between Israel and Hezbollah in March.

The resolution notes that prosecution rates remain low and stresses that accountability is essential to prevent future attacks. While reaffirming that host states bear primary responsibility for the safety and security of U.N. personnel, it calls on all parties to cooperate with investigations.

It requests that the U.N. secretary-general designate a “senior focal point” within the U.N. system to coordinate efforts to improve accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.

UNIFIL soldiers watch workers as they remove the rubble from a site targeted by an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese village of al-Taybeh last year.UNIFIL soldiers watch workers as they remove the rubble from a site targeted by an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese village of al-Taybeh last year.Close

UNIFIL soldiers watch workers as they remove the rubble from a site targeted by an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese village of al-Taybeh last year. Credit: AFP/RABIH DAHER

UNIFIL soldiers watch workers as they remove the rubble from a site targeted by an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese village of al-Taybeh last year. Credit: AFP/RABIH DAHER

It also encourages troop- and police-contributing countries to deploy investigators, at the request of host states, to assist inquiries, and calls for an annual U.N. report on investigations and prosecutions.

The council expressed its intention to consider further steps to strengthen accountability, and said attacks on U.N. peacekeepers may constitute war crimes.