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Politics : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: longnshort who wrote (1140)	1/8/2005 2:51:27 PM
From: lorne	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 224717

UN Peacekeepers 'Still Abusing Women and Girls' Sat 8 Jan 2005 news.scotsman.com UN peacekeepers in Congo are continuing to sexually abuse and exploit women and girls, some as young as 13, according to a UN watchdog agency. “We have had and continue to have a serious problem of sexual exploitation and abuse,” William Lacy Swing, the secretary-general’s special representative to Congo, said yesterday. “We are shocked by it, we are outraged, we are sickened by it,” he said. “Peacekeepers who have been sworn to assist those in need, particularly those who have been victims of sexual violence, instead have caused grievous harm. It is inexcusable behaviour, we are determined to stamp it out.” Reports of around 150 allegations of sexual exploitation emerged in early 2004. The United Nations mission now has a special team continuing investigations which are expected to continue for another six weeks. Sexual activities continued even while the investigation was going on in Bunia between May and September 2004, the report said. The team investigated 72 allegations against both military and civilian UN personnel, which resulted in 20 case reports. One case involved a UN civilian; the others, peacekeepers. “In six cases, the allegations against the peacekeeper were fully substantiated, and underage girls were involved in all of them,” the report said, adding that none of the peacekeepers admitted to the allegations. The UN watchdog recommended that the countries that sent the peacekeepers should take appropriate action. Peacekeepers fall under the jurisdiction of the military in their own countries. Jean-Marie Guehenno, UN Under-secretary-General for Peacekeeping operations said yesterday that trying soldiers after they returned to their home countries was “one of the areas where we need to do better.” He suggested that courts martial should take place in the countries where the crimes were committed. Guehenno said the abuse undermined the credibility of the United Nations. “When we betray the trust they place on us it is unconscionable,” he said. “It is a big stain on us. We have to go at it in great determination.” He said the sex abuse had “tainted” other UN staff in the country. He declined to “name and shame” countries whose troops have committed sex abuse, saying that would lead to less cooperation from the member states in cracking down on the exploitation.