The Zero Tolerance Policy and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Among Un Peacekeeping Missions

Abstract

UN rules forbid sexual relation with prostitutes and with any persons less than 18 years of age and strongly discourage relations with beneficiaries of assistance (those that are receiving assistance food, housing, aid, etc... as a result of a conflict, natural disasters or other humanitarian crisis, or in a development setting). Despite, these positions, there continues to be allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers. I therefore recommend the UN to make it clear to Troops-Contributing Countries that their ability to provide accountability for crimes committed by their peacekeepers will be an essential criterion in deciding whether to accept more of their troops in UN peacekeeping missions of abuse of power... and only secondarily problems of sexual behaviour. To improve overall management and organizational responses to allegations of abuse, I recommend senior managers and mission leadership to regularly set the tone that abuse will not be tolerated and train peacekeepers on standards of conduct and the UN Policies for Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. Peace keeper codes of conduct should be available in all of the languages that peacekeepers speak; currently they are only published in the official languages that the peacekeepers speak; currently they are only published in the official languages of the U.N. Peacekeeping missions should reach local people to make complaints in confidence. UN peacekeeping missions should develop data systems to monitor allegations of sexual abuse and report the outcome of investigations. Echoing the requirements of Security Council Resolutions 1325, the victims are more likely to feel comfortable reporting abuse to women rather than to men. Finally, as a way to provide UN peacekeepers with leisure time activities other than sex, I recommend the UN peacekeeping missions to build recreational facilities such as athletics facilities, internet cafes, and subsidised telephone lines so that peacekeepers may talk with their families and friends. In a reference to what occurred in the OIOS investigation in the DRC when at least two commanders failed to cooperate with the investigations, the report calls for the institution of financial penalties against commanders who fail to co-operate.