UNITED NATIONS – Corporal Rico Pramudia, a 31-year-old Indonesian peacekeeper, died on April 24 after succumbing to injuries sustained during a projectile attack in southern Lebanon.
The death marks the sixth fatality among personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) during recent hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, announced the death during a daily briefing, confirming that Pramudia was wounded on March 29 when a projectile struck his position.
Casualties and Field Investigations
The death of Corporal Pramudia follows another fatal incident during the same weekend in March that claimed the life of Indonesian peacekeeper Fahrizal Rambe, underscoring the growing risks faced by the mission’s contingents along the volatile Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel.
According to Dujarric, preliminary investigation findings indicate that Rambe was killed when a shell fired from an Israel Defense Forces Merkava tank struck a UNIFIL position. The UN has said technical fact‑finding teams are examining the trajectory and origin of the fire as part of its internal inquiries, even as it presses the parties for their own investigations.
The current toll of UN personnel affected by the conflict includes:
- Fatalities: Six peacekeepers killed since the latest round of cross‑border exchanges began.
- Injuries: Several personnel seriously wounded, including troops requiring evacuation from frontline positions.
Regarding the loss of Pramudia, Dujarric stated: “The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of 31-year-old Corporal Rico Pramudia, of Indonesia, as well as to the Government and people of his country.”
Indonesia is one of UNIFIL’s largest troop contributors, and diplomats noted that the deaths of Pramudia and Rambe are likely to feature prominently in discussions between Jakarta and UN headquarters about force protection, rules of engagement and the future configuration of the mission.
International Humanitarian Law and UNIFIL Mandate
UNIFIL is tasked with monitoring the cessation of hostilities and supporting the Lebanese government in maintaining international peace and security in the region, under a mandate established by the UN Security Council in 1978 and significantly expanded following the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.[2] The mission’s responsibilities include patrolling areas of operation in south Lebanon, liaising with both sides and assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces in extending state authority to the border area.
Under international law, UN peacekeepers are granted protected status as civilians or persons hors de combat, and attacks directed at them are strictly prohibited when they are not taking a direct part in hostilities. The UN has emphasized that the safety of its personnel is non-negotiable during active conflict zones, a stance that underpins its regular briefings to the Security Council on threats to peacekeeping operations.
“The Secretary-General once again calls on all to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel, as well as the inviolability of UN property and assets at all times,” said Dujarric.
Dujarric further characterized the killing of peacekeepers as “unacceptable” and stated that “these incidents are unacceptable and they must stop.” He added that the Secretary-General had instructed relevant UN departments to coordinate closely with troop-contributing countries and the Lebanese authorities on immediate risk‑reduction measures around UN positions.
Legal Accountability and War Crimes
The United Nations is now seeking formal investigations into the deaths of its personnel to determine if criminal liability exists. Under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, intentional attacks against peacekeepers acting in accordance with their mandate can be classified as war crimes when they are entitled to the protection given to civilians or persons not taking part in hostilities.
The UN is calling for national authorities to take over the prosecution of these cases to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Any such proceedings would primarily fall under domestic jurisdiction, with the possibility of international mechanisms only where states are unable or unwilling to act.
“We have requested that the relevant parties ensure these cases are investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted by national authorities in order to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure accountability,” Dujarric said. “Attacks against UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.”
The UN continues to request a full accounting of the incidents from the involved parties to facilitate legal proceedings, and officials say they will brief the Security Council on the status of investigations as part of its regular oversight of UNIFIL’s mandate and the safety of its uniformed personnel.