The Zero Tolerance Policy and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Among Un Peacekeeping Missions
Abstract
UN rules forbid sexual relation with prostitutes and with any persons less than 18
years of age and strongly discourage relations with beneficiaries of assistance (those that
are receiving assistance food, housing, aid, etc... as a result of a conflict, natural disasters
or other humanitarian crisis, or in a development setting). Despite, these positions, there
continues to be allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers. I
therefore recommend the UN to make it clear to Troops-Contributing Countries that their
ability to provide accountability for crimes committed by their peacekeepers will be an
essential criterion in deciding whether to accept more of their troops in UN peacekeeping
missions of abuse of power... and only secondarily problems of sexual behaviour.
To improve overall management and organizational responses to allegations of
abuse, I recommend senior managers and mission leadership to regularly set the tone that
abuse will not be tolerated and train peacekeepers on standards of conduct and the UN
Policies for Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. Peace keeper codes of conduct
should be available in all of the languages that peacekeepers speak; currently they are
only published in the official languages that the peacekeepers speak; currently they are
only published in the official languages of the U.N. Peacekeeping missions should reach
local people to make complaints in confidence. UN peacekeeping missions should
develop data systems to monitor allegations of sexual abuse and report the outcome of
investigations. Echoing the requirements of Security Council Resolutions 1325, the
victims are more likely to feel comfortable reporting abuse to women rather than to men.
Finally, as a way to provide UN peacekeepers with leisure time activities other
than sex, I recommend the UN peacekeeping missions to build recreational facilities such
as athletics facilities, internet cafes, and subsidised telephone lines so that peacekeepers
may talk with their families and friends. In a reference to what occurred in the OIOS
investigation in the DRC when at least two commanders failed to cooperate with the
investigations, the report calls for the institution of financial penalties against
commanders who fail to co-operate.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
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