– DNA samples, new international pacts and assistance to victims were among the measures discussed Monday at a conference on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations and non-governmental organization (NGO) personnel, where Secretary-General Kofi Annan set a strict tone by declaring that no one should be above the law.
Almost 150 different agencies and country representatives, including diplomats and other officials, gathered at UN Headquarters in New York for the event.
Paying tribute to the vast majority of upstanding personnel who serve under difficult conditions, the Secretary-General called it tragic and intolerable that those contributions are undermined by the small number of individuals who have engaged in acts of sexual exploitation and abuse.
He decried the damage caused by these acts, including great harm to women and children who already face extreme hardship and violations, and condemned sexual exploitation and abuse as utterly immoral, and completely at odds with the UN mission.
Three years ago, the Secretary-General instituted special measures spelling out prohibited sexual conduct applied to all UN staff, as well as uniformed personnel. In his remarks to the conference, he said those steps had been effective.
Today, UN personnel are better informed about what is expected of them. Allegations of exploitation and abuse are being handled in a more systematic and professional manner. Staff who commit such acts are being fired. And uniformed peacekeeping personnel are being sent home and barred from future peacekeeping service, and also in the expectation that their own governments will deal with them.
At the same time, mr Annan acknowledged the need for more action.
– My message of zero tolerance has still not got through to all those who need to hear it – from managers and commanders on the ground, to all our other personnel.
In response, Mr. Annan called for fostering an environment in which people feel able to report abuses without fear of retaliation, and said he has drafted a policy statement and comprehensive strategy on assistance to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel.
Declaring that no one in the UN is above the law, he said a new report includes proposals for a binding treaty on the matter.
Negotiations will be held next year to examine a possible treaty.
There are nearly 100,000 peacekeepers in the field and because of the high turnover rates, the UN effectively manages about twice that number each year.
