UN peacekeepers in Central African Republic. AFP
NEW YORK—Following a recent Amnesty International report that accused peacekeeping troops of raping a 12-year-old child and murdering two in Central African Republic, the U.N. Secretary General vowed to start “naming and shaming” countries whose troops have been involved in sexual abuse.
“The ultimate responsibility rests with governments who send their people, personnel,” said U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a press conference. “Before they are being deployed, they should educate and train them properly for the importance of human rights and human dignity,”
Rudaw asked the UN spokesperson if peacekeeping officials had covered up cases of sexual abuse in Africa, as it was widely reported in the media.
“I don't dispute the facts that you've just said,” replied U.N. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. “Basically, the Secretary‑General himself became aware of this yesterday [August 11] and so did the senior leader… you know, the peacekeeping officials here in New York became aware on 10 August, the day before the issuance of the press release.”
The U.N Chief asked head of the peacekeeping troops in Central African Republic Babacar Gaye to resign a day after the release of the Amnesty International report.
“He has tendered his resignation at my request yesterday,” Mr. Ban told reporters. “Of course this may look like a very strong action for SRSG who has been working so honorably during many, many years in the UN system. But I really wanted to show a strong example and message to all the international community.”
The U.N. Secretary General has meanwhile ordered a thorough investigation into all allegations of sexual abuse by the organization’s peacekeeping troops in Africa and other regions around the world.
According to Dujarric, since the start of the UN peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic in April 2014, there have been “11 cases of sexual abuse and possible sexual abuses,”
The US State Department also warned in a statement that such acts of abuse would threaten the credibility of peacekeeping forces that operate in more than a dozen countries around the world.
“Instances of abuse such as these and others in recent years, however, threaten to undermine the credibility of this crucial tool for conflict resolution,” reads the U.S. State Dept. statement.
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