Global Policy Forum

UN Tackles Sex Abuse by Troops

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Changes include a new code of conduct for peacekeepers and monitors within each mission.

By Michael J. Jordan

Christian Science Monitor
June 21, 2005

Since accusations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers in Congo arose a year ago, the United Nations has taken vigorous measures to address a problem that has dogged it for years. Consider:

• Since Jan. 1, 2004, the UN has investigated 152 cases of alleged sexual violations - dismissing five UN staff and sending home 77 military personnel and national police from their missions, including six commanders.

• The UN Security Council held its first-ever meeting on May 31 to hold countries that contribute troops more accountable, urging them to end impunity and prosecute perpetrators at home. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will now track the progress in these countries. France, for example, has imprisoned one of its peacekeepers for allegedly filming himself having sex with children in Congo, while countries like Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Tunisia, and South Africa have announced disciplinary action against some of their peacekeepers.

• The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations has created special units in each mission to monitor conduct and report incidents, and even printed pocket-sized reminders of the peacekeeper "code of conduct."

 

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