United Nations – The UN must lead by example in confronting Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), support victims and ensure that ‘blue helmets’ remain a beacon of hope for the people they serve.
UN peacekeepers are referred to as ‘BlueHelmets’
The UN Chef de Cabinet, Edmond Mulet, made this known on Tuesday while addressing the 193 Member States of the UN General Assembly on SEA.
Mulet said “the UN is unwavering in its commitment to working in partnership with Member States to ensure that we take care of the victims, and ensure zero impunity.
“We are convinced that only determined collective action will bring results.”
The allegations that have come to light in recent weeks, and over the past year, he said, showed the importance of shared efforts to address the criminal scourge.
He added that “I am sorry to further inform you that we have also received a report from MONUSCO of 11 alleged new acts of sexual exploitation and abuse, all of which involve paternity claims.
“The concerned Troop Contributing Country has been formally notified of the report and asked to take immediate steps to investigate.
“As information becomes available, the UN Secretary-General will consider whether these circumstances should trigger any of the measures called for in Security Council Resolution 2272.”
He added that over several years, the UN General Assembly had approved many measures to help address the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse.
The recent adoption by the Security Council of Resolution 2272, he said, was a further significant step in the collective efforts to prevent and combat sexual exploitation and abuse and the damage it caused.
“The focus of our efforts remain that of seeking to prevent such abuses; to respond quickly and effectively to allegations that come to light; to protect and support victims; and to demand zero impunity.
“The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, outlined a robust programme of action in his latest annual report to the General Assembly on Special Measures on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
“First, our main efforts must be to protect and support victims.”
In addition, he said, the Secretary-General has recently established a trust fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse that will help provide them with the medical, psychosocial and legal services they need.
Mullet said the Secretary-General strongly urges all Member States to urgently make financial contributions to the fund to strengthen our capacity to provide victims with the necessary assistance needed at this time.
“We are also painfully aware that some of this assistance will be needed on a long-term basis.
“As such, Member States are encouraged to pledge financial contributions on a sustained basis into the future.
“We must ensure zero impunity. It is only by working with Member States, especially Troop Contributing Countries, that we will be able to ensure accountability and justice for the victims.
“The Secretary-General remains committed to working closely with you to ensure that the perpetrators of such abuses are held accountable,” he added.
Doing so, he said, demands the conduct of solid investigations that can withstand judicial scrutiny in disciplinary and criminal proceedings.
He said it demands that all Member States live up to their responsibility to bring to justice those who have committed crimes while serving with the United Nations.
“Where individuals are found guilty, it requires the imposition of sanctions that are commensurate with the seriousness of the offences committed.
“Civilian personnel who commit abuses must be similarly held accountable.
“As such, where United Nations personnel are alleged to have committed sexual exploitation and abuse, we will suspend the payment of certain funds due to them.
“The Secretary-General has asked Member States to agree to this money being transferred to the trust fund in support of victims, if the allegations are substantiated.
” I urge the General Assembly to agree to this proposal,” he told members.
Mullet said that for the first time, the Secretary-General’s report on sexual exploitation and abuse, names the countries of alleged perpetrators.
This transparency, he said,will help us collectively ensure that every allegation of sexual exploitation or abuse is addressed quickly and thoroughly.
This, he said, is the only way in which we can begin to rebuild the trust of fragile communities and societies that have suffered so terribly from the criminal actions of a relatively small number of individuals.
NAN recalls that on March 25, the UN Mission in the Central African Republic ( MINUSCA), announced that it received new allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse that had taken place between 2013 and 2015 by UN and non-UN personnel, as well as by local armed groups, in the Kemo prefecture.
NAN also recalls that Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on March 10, in his latest annual report to the General Assembly on Special Measures on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, said that there was an increase in the number of new allegations in 2015.
He said that out of the total of 99 for the UN, 69 of the allegations were lodged against UN personnel serving in peace operations.
“This reflects an increase in allegations within UN peacekeeping operations, with multiple allegations from the MINUSCA and increases in allegations from UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“Further allegations have continued to come to light this year.
“In the face of this disturbing trend across a number of our peacekeeping operations, it is imperative that our collective response is more effective.
“My report proposes strong new initiatives in ending impunity, helping and supporting victims; and strengthening accountability, including through action by Member States,” he said.
To end impunity, Ban said, greater transparency is critical.
He asked Member States to establish an “on-site court martial proceedings” to bring to justice those who have committed crimes while serving with the UN.
NAN also recalled that he said he expects States to impose sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the offence.
Ban also urged States to ensure that domestic legislation applies to sex crimes committed by their nationals while they are serving in UN peace operations.
“I have also called for the collection of DNA samples of alleged offenders.
“We also continue to emphasize prevention.
“Significantly, this year, for the first time, we will be able to vet all uniformed personnel for previous allegations of misconduct while in the service of the United Nations.
“We are increasing our support for pre-deployment training by Member States,” he said.(NAN)