The Sexual abuse done by UN Peacekeepers
Peacekeeping by the United Nations is a role held by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations as "a unique and dynamic instrument developed by the organization as a way to help countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace.
UN
Peacekeeping missions are facing allegations of sexual abuse in African
countries. In 2017, UN Chief Antonio Guterres had launched a campaign to
prevent and end sexual exploitation by UN personnel.
Sexual
harassment is not limited to peacekeepers but prevalent in entire united
nations. In recent years there have been allegations reported that peacekeepers
were engaged in transactional sex with women and children, while the cases were
under reported.
In some of the world’s most poor country like Haiti, there were cases of such exploitations.
In some of the world’s most poor country like Haiti, there were cases of such exploitations.
An Associated Press investigation revealed in 2017 that more than 100 United Nations peacekeepers ran a
child sex ring in Haiti over a 10-year period and none were ever jailed. The
report further found that over the past 12 years there have been almost 2,000
allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by peacekeepers and other UN
personnel around the world. AP found the abuse is much greater than previously
known.
Since the 1990s, UN Peacekeepers have been the subject of
numerous accusations of abuse ranging from rape and sexual assault, to pedophilia and human trafficking. Complaints have
arisen from Cambodia, East Timor and West Africa. In Bosnia-Herzegovina prostitution associated with trafficked women
skyrocketed and often operated just beyond the gates of U.N. compounds. David
Lamb, a regional human rights officer in Bosnia from 2000 to 2001 claimed “The
sex slave trade in Bosnia largely exists because of the U.N. peacekeeping
operation. Without the peacekeeping presence, there would have been little or
no forced prostitution in Bosnia.” In addition, hearing held by the U.S. House of
Representatives in 2002 found
that members of SFOR were frequenting Bosnian brothels and engaging in sex with
trafficked women and underage girls.
In the
spring of 2014, allegations came to light that international troops serving in
a peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (“CAR”) had sexually
abused a number of young children in exchange for food or money (the
“Allegations”). The alleged perpetrators were largely from a French military
force known as the Sangaris Forces, which were operating as peacekeepers under
authorization of the Security Council but not under UN command.
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United Nation's Army-
Peacekeepers
United
Nations does not have its own army but relies on the member country for army.
The states are responsible for investigating alleged misconduct by their
troops, although the UN can step in if there is no action.
The
number of peacekeepers has increased dramatically in past decade. Peacekeeping by the United Nations is a role held by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations as "a unique and dynamic instrument developed by the organization as a way to help countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace.
Efforts of United Nations
There
have 48 leaders from various countries like India, and America etc, who
endorsed UN Chief’s campaign to combat Sexual abuse.
Leaders
have pledged to show zero tolerance against sexual exploitations and abuse.
This
signifies unequal power relationships and gender roles through meaningful
organizational culture change.
The
shared responsibility was recognized for member states and to protect victims
and whistle- blowers.
The
Trust Fund in Support
of victims of sexual exploitations and abuse is for supporting the victims of sexual
exploitations and Abuse, and signatory countries voluntarily contributed to the
fund.
The
steps are taken by UN to enhance the institutional response by actively filling
up.
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