Over 50 cases of sexual abuse reported to UN in three months

World
Europe

More than 50 cases of sexual exploitation by UN staff or partner organizations were reported in the first three months of this year, the United Nations revealed on Tuesday, adding it was investigating the allegations.

This comes after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres vowed last year to have a “zero tolerance” policy toward sexual abuse and exploitation within the organization’s ranks, following a string of scandals.

A total of 54 cases, involving 66 victims – including 13 girls under the age of 18 – were disclosed up until March 31, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters at a regular briefing in New York.

October 23, 2014: A UN armored vehicle in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo. /VCG Photo

Of these, 14 cases were related to UN peacekeeping operations, 18 had to do with UN funds and programs, while the rest concerned partner agencies or international forces.

This is compared with 40 reported cases – 15 of them relating to peacekeepers – in the last three months of 2017.

“Not all allegations have been fully verified, and many are in the preliminary assessment phase,” Haq said Tuesday.

“Sexual exploitation and abuse are not reflective of the conduct of the majority of those who serve the organization,” he insisted, noting that over 95,000 civilians and 90,000 uniformed personnel were employed at the UN.

“But every allegation involving our personnel undermines our values and principles and the sacrifice of those who serve with pride and professionalism in some of the most dangerous places in the world.”

He did not disclose where the newly reported cases were alleged to have taken place.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks with the press at the UN Headquarters in New York, US, February 2, 2018. /VCG Photo

The UN has had to face a number of allegations of rape and abuse by peacekeeping troops and staff in recent years.

Some of the worst have involved Congolese peacekeepers in the Central African Republic and Sri Lankan peacekeepers in Haiti. But there have also been allegations against peacekeepers and civilian personnel from Uruguay, Nigeria, South Africa, Pakistan, Brazil, and Bangladesh.

British newspaper The Guardian meanwhile reported in January that the UN had allowed sexual harassment and assault “to flourish in its offices around the world” without consequences for the perpetrators.

11001km