The Sexual Abuse by Peacekeepers of UN

The Sexual abuse done by UN Peacekeepers

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. 

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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