Global Policy Forum

In his article, Allan Thompson presents an incomplete account of an issue that the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and the United Nations take extremely seriously. There was no mention in his report of the extensive range of measures the mission has in place to prevent such misconduct and to punish those found culpable of breach of conduct. Without prejudicing the investigation currently underway into the allegations to which Thompson refers, the mission wishes to state unequivocally that when presented with credible evidence of misconduct by its peacekeepers - military or civilian - it takes action, as it has done in this case with the immediate launching of an in-depth investigation. If, after investigation, peacekeepers are found to have committed an offence, they are subject to rigorous disciplinary action, including repatriation at their own expense, court martial and dismissal from their nations' armed forces.

So far, no evidence has been found to suggest that a culture of sexual abuse and exploitation exists in the mission. To prevent such a culture, the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone has in place an ongoing training program to sensitize its military contingents on the rights of women and children and to emphasize the U.N.'s zero tolerance of sexual misconduct and exploitation. Human rights officers and the child protection adviser provide training as part of each battalion's induction. Codes of conduct are distributed and explained to all military and civilian personnel.

Over the past month, the mission's military command has visited sector and contingent commanders across the country to re-emphasize the need to exercise vigilance with regard to their soldiers' conduct. The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone is also in the process of strengthening existing structures, including the creation of child protection committees to monitor peacekeepers' behaviour at all levels.

Margaret A. Novicki

UNAMSIL Spokesperson

Freetown, Sierra Leone

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